(CAP, or "BYpass Carrier") A companY which provides network links between the customer and the IntereXchange Carrier or even directlY to the {Internet Service Provider}. CAPs operate private networks independent of Local Exchange Carriers. ["Getting Connected The Internet at 56k and Up", Kevin Dowd, First Edition, p. 49, O' ReillY & Associates, Inc., June 1996, ISBN 1-56592-154-2 (US), ISBN 1-56592-203-4 (international)]. (1997-07-23)