In telecommunication, the term local call has the following meanings:

  1. Any call using a single switching facility.
  2. Any call for which an additional charge, i.e., toll charge, is not made to the calling or called party, or (depending on the country) for which this charge is reduced because it is a short-distance call (e.g. within town).

Note: Calls such as those via "800" numbers do not qualify as local calls, because the called party is charged.

Source: from Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188