A wholesale carrier is a company that provides telecommunications services to other businesses rather than directly to consumers. These carriers typically own and maintain the infrastructure needed for communication, such as fiber optic cables and data centers. They sell access to their network to smaller companies, allowing them to offer services like internet and phone plans without having to build their own systems. By partnering with a wholesale carrier, smaller businesses can focus on customer service and marketing while relying on the carrier's established network. This arrangement helps enhance competition in the telecommunications market, benefiting consumers with more choices and better prices.