I need to know the steps and path(s) to becoming a long distance
telephone service provider/carrier or interexchange carrier (IXC). I'm
especially interested in being able to do call switching myself,
especially for international calls - so simply reselling long distance
service would not suffice. It seems obvious that the IXC needs to be
connected to the PSTN in order to provide the long distance service.
Does an IXC need to interconnect with a local exchange carrier (LEC)
or what/how? If that interconnection is in one location can the IXC
provide long distance service nationwide (I suppose so, but I need
details). I also need details about the technology options for
interconnection, switching equipment options, signalling (as I
understand SS7), maybe colocation options. If localization matters I'm
located in Chicago. I need other info on becoming IXC such as whatever
else is needed (besides connection to PSTN, equipment, licensing); if
there is some kind of carrier code associated w/ each IXC and its role and how
customers can sign up with the new IXC (based on that carrier code?);
and just how providing long distance service works. Some info about
the FCC licensing is appreciated (but not so important because it's
easily available from FCC). How all this (becoming IXC) is different
and/or similar to becoming CLEC is appreciated as well even though not
crucial to the answer. Links with useful info on this matter are
appreciated as well!