This chapter may be cited as the “Communications Act of 1934.”
June 19, 1934, ch. 65248 Stat. 1105Pub. L. 98–549, § 6(a)98 Stat. 2804(, title VII, § 709, formerly title VI, § 609, ; renumbered title VII, § 709, , , .)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
act June 19, 1934, ch. 65248 Stat. 1064section 35 of this titlesection 21 of Title 15This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning , , known as the Communications Act of 1934, which enacted this chapter, amended , , Commerce and Trade, section 487 of former Title 46, Shipping, and sections 1, 2, 5, and 15 of former Title 49, Transportation, and repealed sections 484 to 487 of former Title 46. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title of 2025 Amendment
Pub. L. 119–12, § 1139 Stat. 55
section 223a of this titlesection 223 of this title“This Act [enacting , amending , and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 223 and 223a of this title] may be cited as the ‘Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act’ or the ‘TAKE IT DOWN Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2024 Amendment
Pub. L. 118–159, div. E, title LIV, § 5401138 Stat. 2449
section 1603 of this titlesection 309 of this title“This title [amending and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Spectrum and Secure Technology and Innovation Act of 2024’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2023 Amendment
Pub. L. 117–338, § 1136 Stat. 6156
section 152 of this title“This Act [amending sections 152, 153, and 276 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2022 Amendment
Pub. L. 117–223, § 1136 Stat. 2280
section 345 of this titlesection 345 of this title“This Act [enacting and provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Safe Connections Act of 2022’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2021 Amendment
Pub. L. 117–58, div. F, title VI, § 60601135 Stat. 1246
section 344 of this titlesection 344 of this titlesection 3111 of Title 29“This title [enacting and repealing and enacting provisions set out as notes under and , Labor] may be cited as the ‘Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2020 Amendment
Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title IX, § 902(a)134 Stat. 3206
section 615a–1 of this titlesection 1413 of this titlesection 615a–1 of this title“This section [amending , repealing and enacting provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–172, § 1134 Stat. 832
section 251a of this titlesection 251 of this titlesection 251 of this title“This Act [enacting , amending , and enacting provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–130, § 1134 Stat. 228
“This Act [enacting subchapter VII of this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act’ or the ‘Broadband DATA Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–109, § 1134 Stat. 3
section 511 of this title“This Act [enacting ] may be cited as the ‘Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act’ or the ‘PIRATE Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2019 Amendment
Pub. L. 116–105, § 1133 Stat. 3274
section 227 of this titlesection 227 of this title“This Act [enacting sections 227b to 227b–2 of this title, amending , and enacting provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act’ or the ‘Pallone-Thune TRACED Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 116–94, div. P, title X, § 1001133 Stat. 3198
section 562 of this titlesection 325 of this title“This title [enacting , amending , and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 325 and 562 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2018 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, § 1(a)132 Stat. 1080
“This division [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the ‘Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services Act of 2018’ or the ‘RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 115–129, § 1132 Stat. 329
section 262 of this title“This Act [enacting ] may be cited as the ‘Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 115–127, § 1132 Stat. 326
section 623 of this titlesection 623 of this title“This Act [enacting and provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Kari’s Law Act of 2017’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2016 Amendment
Pub. L. 114–182, title II, § 201130 Stat. 512
section 254 of this titlesection 254 of this title“This title [amending and enacting provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Rural Healthcare Connectivity Act of 2016’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2014 Amendment
Pub. L. 113–200, § 1(a)128 Stat. 2059
section 111 of Title 17section 119 of Title 17“This Act [amending sections 325, 338, 534, and 543 of this title and sections 111, 119, and 122 of Title 17, Copyrights, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 153, 325, 338, and 534 of this title and , and repealing provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 113–197, § 1128 Stat. 2055
section 622 of this titlesection 622 of this title“This Act [enacting and provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Enhance Labeling, Accessing, and Branding of Electronic Licenses Act of 2014’ or the ‘E–LABEL Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2010 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–331, § 1124 Stat. 3572
section 227 of this title“This Act [amending ] may be cited as the ‘Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 111–311, § 1124 Stat. 3294
section 621 of this title“This Act [enacting ] may be cited as the ‘Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act’ or the ‘CALM Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 111–260, § 1(a)124 Stat. 2751
“This Act [enacting sections 615c and 616 to 620 of this title, amending sections 153, 225, 303, 330, 402, 503, 610, and 613 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 153, 303, 613, and 619 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2009 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–4, § 1123 Stat. 112
section 309 of this title“This Act [amending sections 309 and 337 of this title and enacting and amending provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘DTV Delay Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2008 Amendment
Pub. L. 110–295, § 1122 Stat. 2972
section 309 of this title“This Act [amending provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘DTV Transition Assistance Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 110–283, § 1122 Stat. 2620
section 615a–1 of this title“This Act [enacting and amending sections 222, 615a, 615b, and 942 of this title] may be cited as the ‘New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008’ or the ‘NET 911 Improvement Act of 2008’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2007 Amendment
Pub. L. 110–108, § 1121 Stat. 1024
section 151 of this title“This Act [enacting and amending provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act of 2007’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2006 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–459, § 1120 Stat. 3399
section 201 of this title“This Act [enacting and repealing provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Call Home Act of 2006’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 109–235, § 1120 Stat. 491
section 503 of this title“This Act [amending ] may be cited as the ‘Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2005 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–21, § 1119 Stat. 359
section 227 of this titlesection 227 of this title“This Act [amending and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2004 Amendment
Pub. L. 108–435, § 1118 Stat. 2615
section 151 of this title“This Act [enacting and amending provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2002 Amendment
Pub. L. 107–195, § 1116 Stat. 715
section 309 of this titlesection 337 of this titlesection 309 of this title“This Act [amending , enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 309 and 337 of this title, amending provisions set out as a note under , and repealing provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Auction Reform Act of 2002’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2001 Amendment
Pub. L. 107–75, § 1115 Stat. 703
section 151 of this title“This Act [amending provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 2000 Amendment
Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(4) [div. B, title XVII, § 1731]114 Stat. 2763
section 1(a)(4) of Pub. L. 106–554section 254 of this titlesection 254 of this title“This subtitle [subtitle C (§§ 1731–1733) of title XVII of div. B of H.R. 5666, as enacted by , amending and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act’.”
, , , 2763A–350, provided that:
Short Title of 1999 Amendments
Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [title V, § 5008(a)]113 Stat. 1536
section 336 of this titlesection 336 of this title“This section [amending and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1999’.”
, , , 1501A–594, provided that:
Pub. L. 106–81, § 1113 Stat. 1286
section 615 of this title“This Act [enacting sections 615 to 615b of this title, amending sections 222 and 251 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 1998 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–277, div. C, title XIV, § 1401112 Stat. 2681–736
section 231 of this title“This title [enacting , amending sections 223 and 230 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 223 and 231 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Child Online Protection Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 1996 Amendment
Pub. L. 104–104, § 1(a)110 Stat. 56
section 79z–5c of Title 15section 1462 of Title 18“This Act [enacting sections 160, 161, 222, 230, 251 to 261, 271 to 276, 336, 363, 549, 560, 561, 571 to 573, 613, and 614 of this title and , Commerce and Trade, amending sections 151, 153 to 155, 204, 208, 214, 220, 221, 223 to 225, 228, 302a, 303, 305, 307 to 310, 312, 319, 330, 332, 360, 382, 385, 402, 522, 531 to 534, 537, 541 to 544a, 548, 552, 556, 557, 559, and 605 of this title, sections 18, 79, 79z–6, and 5714 of Title 15, and sections 1462, 1465, and 2422 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 151 to 153, 156, 157, 204, 214, 223, 228, 303, 308, 332, 534, 543, and 561 of this title and ] may be cited as the ‘Telecommunications Act of 1996’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 104–104, title V, § 501110 Stat. 133
section 1462 of Title 18“This title [enacting sections 230, 560, and 561 of this title, amending sections 223, 303, 330, 531, 532, and 559 of this title and sections 1462, 1465, and 2422 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 223, 303, and 561 of this title and ] may be cited as the ‘Communications Decency Act of 1996’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 1992 Amendments
Pub. L. 102–385, § 1106 Stat. 1460
“This Act [enacting sections 334, 335, 534 to 537, 544a, 548, and 555a of this title, amending sections 325, 332, 522, 532, 533, 541 to 544, 546, 551 to 555, and 558 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 325, 521, 531, 543, and 554 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 102–356, § 1106 Stat. 949
section 303 of this title“This Act [amending sections 303b, 391, 393, and 396 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 303 and 396 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Public Telecommunications Act of 1992’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 1991 Amendment
Pub. L. 102–243, § 1105 Stat. 2394
section 227 of this titlesection 227 of this title“This Act [enacting , amending sections 152 and 331 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 1990 Amendments
Pub. L. 101–437, § 1104 Stat. 996
section 397 of this titlesection 394 of this title“This Act [enacting sections 303a, 303b, and 394 of this title, amending , renumbering former as section 393a, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 303a and 394 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Children’s Television Act of 1990’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 101–437, title II, § 201104 Stat. 997
section 394 of this titlesection 397 of this titlesection 394 of this titlesection 394 of this title“This title [enacting , amending , renumbering former as section 393a, and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘National Endowment for Children’s Educational Television Act of 1990’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 101–435, § 1104 Stat. 986
section 226 of this titlesection 226 of this title“This Act [enacting and provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Telephone Operator Consumer Services Improvement Act of 1990’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 101–431, § 1104 Stat. 960
section 303 of this title“This Act [amending sections 303 and 330 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 101–396, § 1104 Stat. 848
section 333 of this titlesection 154 of this title“That this Act [enacting , amending sections 154, 156, 203, 303, 310, and 503 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Federal Communications Commission Authorization Act of 1990’.”
, , , provided:
Short Title of 1988 Amendments
Pub. L. 100–626, § 1102 Stat. 3207
“This Act [amending sections 391, 396, 398, 399, and 605 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 391 and 396 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Public Telecommunications Act of 1988’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 100–594, § 1102 Stat. 3021
“This Act [amending sections 154 to 156, 158, 204, 208, and 405 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 154 and 156 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Federal Communications Commission Authorization Act of 1988’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 100–394, § 1102 Stat. 976
section 610 of this titlesection 610 of this title“That this Act [amending and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988’.”
, , , provided:
Short Title of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–549, § 1(a)98 Stat. 2779
section 611 of this titlesection 2511 of Title 18section 1805 of Title 50“This Act [enacting subchapter V–A of this chapter and , amending sections 152, 224, 309, and 605 of this title, , Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and , War and National Defense, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 521, 543, and 605 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 1983 Amendments
Pub. L. 98–214, § 197 Stat. 1467
section 157 of this title“This Act [enacting , amending sections 154, 156, 223, 310, 316, 396, and 503 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 156, 223, and 303 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Federal Communications Commission Authorization Act of 1983’.”
, , , provided that:
Pub. L. 97–410, § 196 Stat. 2043
section 610 of this titlesection 734 of this titlesection 610 of this titlesection 396 of this title“That this Act [enacting , amending , enacting provisions set out as a note under , and amending provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Telecommunications for the Disabled Act of 1982’.”
, , , provided:
Short Title of 1982 Amendment
Pub. L. 97–259, title I, § 10196 Stat. 1087
section 1114 of Title 18section 302a of this title“This title [enacting sections 332 and 510 of this title, amending sections 153, 154, 155, 224, 301, 302a, 303, 304, 307, 309, 311, 312, 319, 402, 405, 408, 503, and 605 of this title and , Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Communications Amendments Act of 1982’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 1981 Amendments
Pub. L. 97–130, § 195 Stat. 1687
section 222 of this titlesection 1017 of Title 45section 222 of this titlesection 1017 of Title 45“This Act [amending and , Railroads, and enacting provisions set out as notes under and ] may be referred to as the ‘Record Carrier Competition Act of 1981’.”
, Dec 29, 1981, , provided that:
Pub. L. 97–35, title XII, § 122195 Stat. 725
Pub. L. 97–35section 396 of this title“This chapter [chapter 1 (§§ 1221–1234) of subtitle B of title XII of , enacting sections 399a and 399b of this title, amending sections 391, 392, 396, 397, and 399 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Public Broadcasting Amendments Act of 1981’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 1978 Amendments
Pub. L. 95–567, § 192 Stat. 2405
section 395 of this titlesection 5316 of Title 5“That this Act [enacting , amending sections 390 to 392, 393, 394, and 396 to 398 of this title, repealing sections 392a and 395 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 390, 392, and 396 of this title and , Government Organization and Employees] may be cited as the ‘Public Telecommunications Financing Act of 1978’.”
, , , provided:
Pub. L. 95–234, § 192 Stat. 33
section 224 of this titlesection 510 of this titlesection 152 of this title“That this Act [enacting , amending sections 152, 503, and 504 of this title, repealing , and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Communications Act Amendments of 1978’.”
, , , provided:
Short Title of 1976 Amendment
Pub. L. 94–309, § 190 Stat. 683
section 392a of this title“That this Act [enacting and amending sections 390, 391, 392, 395, 397, and 399 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Educational Broadcasting Facilities and Telecommunications Demonstration Act of 1976’.”
, , , provided:
Short Title of 1975 Amendment
Pub. L. 94–192, § 189 Stat. 1099
“That this Act [amending sections 396 and 397 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Public Broadcasting Financing Act of 1975’.”
, , , provided:
Short Title of 1971 Amendment
Pub. L. 92–131, § 185 Stat. 363
section 410 of this title“This Act [amending ] may be cited as the ‘Federal-State Communications Joint Board Act’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 1970 Amendment
Pub. L. 91–437, § 184 Stat. 888
section 396 of this title“That this Act [amending ] may be cited as the ‘Public Broadcasting Financing Act of 1970’.”
, , , provided:
Short Title of 1969 Amendment
Pub. L. 91–97, § 183 Stat. 146
“That this Act [amending sections 391 and 396 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Educational Television and Radio Amendments of 1969’.”
, , , provided:
Short Title of 1967 Amendment
Pub. L. 90–129, § 181 Stat. 365
“That this Act [enacting sections 396, 398, and 399 of this title, amending sections 390 to 395 and 397 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 390 and 392 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Public Broadcasting Act of 1967’.”
, , , provided:
Short Title of 1960 Amendment
Pub. L. 86–752, § 174 Stat. 889
“This Act [enacting sections 508 and 509 of this title, amending sections 154, 307, 309, 311, 312, 313, 317, 319, 405, 503, and 504 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 309 and 405 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Communications Act Amendments, 1960’.”
, , , provided that:
Short Title of 1952 Amendment
Act July 16, 1952, ch. 879, § 166 Stat. 711
section 1343 of Title 18section 153 of this title“This Act [enacting , Crimes and Criminal Procedure, amending sections 153 to 155, 307 to 312, 315, 316, 319, 402, 405, 409, and 410 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under ] may be cited as the ‘Communications Act Amendments, 1952’.”
, , provided that: