In most areas of the country you can dial 1-700-555-4141 to identify your long-distance carrier for calls outside of your LATA (Local Access Toll area). Sometimes this will be your area code, but not always. To test your LATA dial 1-(area code where you reside)-700-4141. You should receive a voice message indicating who is providing your service. Some locations where smaller independent telephone companies provide your local service, the LATA test will not identify, and you may receive a message "this call cannot be completed."
You can actually have two different carriers service an individual phone line. One for the LATA and another carrier outside of your lata. If you have a service interruption and call your provider for assistance, this will be one of the first tests they will ask you to make. |
Frequently Asked Questions