Telecommunications carrier

Definitions

Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, there are two similar, but somewhat different, definitions of the term telecommunications carrier:

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[A]ny provider of telecommunications services. . . . A telecommunications carrier shall be treated as a common carrier under this act only to the extent that it is engaged in providing telecommunications services. . . ."

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(A) means a person or entity engaged in the transmission or switching of wire or electronic communications as a common carrier for hire; and (B) includes — (i) a person or entity engaged in providing commercial mobile service (as defined in section 332(d) of this title); or (ii) a person or entity engaged in providing wire or electronic communication switching or transmission service to the extent that the Commission finds that such service is a replacement for a substantial portion of the local telephone exchange service and that it is in the public interest to deem such a person or entity to be a telecommunications carrier for purposes of this subchapter; but (C) does not include — (i) persons or entities insofar as they are engaged in providing information services; and (ii) any class or category of telecommunications carriers that the Commission exempts by rule after consultation with the Attorney General.

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