US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

7 U.S.C. § 924

Definition of telephone service and rural area

(a)
o1
1 See References in Text note below.
As used in this subchapter, the term “telephone service” shall be deemed to mean any communication service for the transmission or reception of voice, data, sounds, signals, pictures, writing, or signs of all kinds by wire, fiber, radio, light, or other visual or electromagnetic means, and shall include all telephone lines, facilities, or systems used in the rendition of such service; but shall not be deemed to mean message telegram service or community antenna television system services or facilities other than those intended exclusively for educational purposes, or radio broadcasting services or facilities within the meaning of section 153()  of title 47.
(b)
As used in this subchapter, the term “rural area” shall be deemed to mean any area of the United States not included within the boundaries of any incorporated or unincorporated city, village, or borough having a population in excess of 5,000 inhabitants.

May 20, 1936, ch. 432 Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 776, § 5 63 Stat. 948 Pub. L. 87–86276 Stat. 1140 Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIII, § 2354104 Stat. 4039 Pub. L. 103–129, § 2(c)(5)107 Stat. 1364 (, title II, § 203, as added , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 153 of title 47o, referred to in subsec. (a), was subsequently amended and no longer contains a subsec. (). However, the term “broadcasting” is defined elsewhere in that section.

Amendments

Pub. L. 103–1291993—Subsec. (b). substituted “5,000” for “one thousand five hundred”.

Pub. L. 101–6241990—Subsec. (a). inserted “or reception” after “transmission” and “data,” after “voice,”, and substituted “by wire, fiber, radio, light, or other visual or electromagnetic means” for “through the use of electricity between the transmitting and receiving apparatus”.

Pub. L. 87–8621962—Subsec. (a). included the transmission of sounds, signals, pictures, writing, or signs of all kinds within “telephone service”, and substituted “message telegram service or community antenna television system services or facilities other than those intended exclusively for educational purposes” for “telegraph services or facilities”.