For the first century of its existence, the telecommunications industry was tightly packed and monolithic. Then, in the late 1980s and early '90s, competitive forces struck the very core of the U.S. telecommunications industry - the local exchange.  Seemingly overnight, local exchange carriers were thrust into a marketplace against entrants dubbed "Competitive Local Exchange Carriers," commonly known now as "CLECs."  By 2000, there were approximately 170 facilities-based CLECs operating in the U.S. with a steady stream of new entrants following. Amid the bankruptcies and consolidation that followed, the marketplace forged a stabilized, if smaller, group of facilities-based CLECs.

Today’s facilities-based CLECs are significant in the communications industry for their physical network infrastructure, their role as alternatives to incumbent carriers, and their extension of upgraded service to underserved areas. NPRG's CLEC Sector Analysis Report 2009 presents a thorough examination of this important sector, providing unequaled analysis of facilities-based competitive carriers. This report identifies the critical market drivers and industry trends that shape the sector. Also available, either individually or as a batched set, are detailed, fully updated Service Provider Profiles.