The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

Competitive Access Provider

    (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)