In the USA the Local Calling Area is the area where a user can make "Local Calls" which are usually free for the caller. Local calling areas are important for companies (Internet Service Providers, etc.) that want to provide dial-up numbers that are a free call for their subscribers.

The determining the local calling area for a calling phone number is difficult because the caller could have their basic phone service provided by any of serveral providers each offering a multiple different local calling area plans. For ILEC provided service the local calling area is often listed in the front section of the phone book.

There are several companies that sell data bases of local calling areas

• CCMI
• MapInfo
• Quentin Sager Consulting data for California only
• TariffNet
• Tele-Tech Services

Some phone companies offer this information on their web sites

• AT&T
• SBC
• USA Telephone
• Verizon
• Trinsic (formerly Z-Tel)

See Also

• NPA-NXX North American Numbering Plan
• Local Calling Guide Free user maintained data base