Define: Communications Services

The meaning of “Communications Services” differs based on where it is used. We list many below, then combine them into one or more market-standard definitions.

Communications services Definition: 208 Samples | Law Insider Define Communications services. means any service provided for the purpose of transmission of information including, but not limited to, voice, video, or data, without regard to the transmission protocol employed, whether or not the transmission medium is owned by the provider itself and whether or not the transmission medium is wireline. Communications service includes all forms of telephone services and voice, video, data or information transport, but does not include: (1) cable service; (2) open video system service, as defined in 47 C.F.R. 76; (3) private communications system services provided without using the public rights of way or private communications system services that use the public rights of way without imposing any additional burden on the public rights of way; (4) over-the-air radio or television broadcasting to the public-at-large from facilities licensed by the Federal Communications Commission or any successor thereto; and (5) direct-to-home satellite service within the meaning of Section 602 of the Telecommunications Act. <dfn>Communications services</dfn> <!-- -->means any <a href=""/clause/service-provided"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">service provided</a> <a href=""/clause/for-the-purpose-of"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">for the purpose of</a> <a href=""/clause/transmission-of-information"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">transmission of information</a> <a href=""/clause/including"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">including</a>, but <a href=""/clause/not-limited"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">not limited</a> to, <a href=""/clause/voice"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">voice</a>, video, or <a href=""/clause/data"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">data</a>, without regard to the <a href=""/dictionary/transmission-protocol"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">transmission protocol</a> <a href=""/clause/employed"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">employed</a>, whether or not the transmission <a href=""/clause/medium"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">medium</a> is owned <a href=""/clause/by-the-provider"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">by the provider</a> itself and whether or not the transmission medium is <a href=""/clause/wireline"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">wireline</a>. Communications <a href=""/clause/service-includes"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">service includes</a> all <a href=""/clause/forms"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">forms</a> of telephone <a href=""/clause/services-and"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">services and</a> voice, video, data or information <a href=""/clause/transport"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">transport</a>, but does not include: (1) <a href=""/clause/cable-service"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">cable service</a>; (2) <a href=""/dictionary/open-video-system"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">open video system</a> service, as <a href=""/clause/defined"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">defined</a> in 47 C.F.R. 76; (3) private communications system <a href=""/clause/services-provided"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">services provided</a> without using the public <a href=""/clause/rights-of"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">rights of</a> <a href=""/dictionary/way"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">way</a> or private communications system services that use the public rights of way without imposing any <a href=""/clause/additional"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">additional</a> <a href=""/clause/burden"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">burden</a> on the public rights of way; (4) over-the-<a href=""/clause/air"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">air</a> <a href=""/clause/radio"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">radio</a> or <a href=""/clause/television"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">television</a> <a href=""/clause/broadcasting"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">broadcasting</a> <a href=""/dictionary/to-the-public"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">to the public</a>-at-<a href=""/clause/large"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">large</a> from <a href=""/clause/facilities"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">facilities</a> <a href=""/clause/licensed"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">licensed</a> by the <a href=""/clause/federal-communications-commission"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">Federal Communications Commission</a> or any <a href=""/clause/successor"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">successor</a> thereto; and (5) <a href=""/clause/direct"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">direct</a>-to-<a href=""/clause/home"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">home</a> <a href=""/dictionary/satellite-service"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">satellite service</a> within the <a href=""/clause/meaning-of"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">meaning of</a> <a href=""/clause/section-602"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">Section 602</a> of the <a href=""/clause/telecommunications-act"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">Telecommunications Act</a>. Based on 14 documents <dfn>Communications services</dfn> <!-- -->means <a href=""/clause/services-performed"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">services performed</a> <a href=""/clause/consisting-of"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">consisting of</a> the <a href=""/clause/dissemination"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">dissemination</a> or <a href=""/clause/interchange"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">interchange</a> of <a href=""/clause/audio"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">audio</a>, <a href=""/clause/visual"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">visual</a> or data <a href=""/clause/content"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">content</a> using <a href=""/clause/postal"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">postal</a>, <a href=""/clause/radio"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">radio</a>, or <a href=""/clause/telecommunications"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">telecommunications</a> <a href=""/clause/media"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">media</a>, <a href=""/clause/data-communication"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">data communication</a>, and <a href=""/clause/includes"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">includes</a> <a href=""/clause/broadcasting"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">broadcasting</a>; Based on 13 documents <dfn>Communications services</dfn> <!-- -->means <a href=""/clause/the-technology"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">the technology</a> of <a href=""/clause/reception"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">reception</a>, <a href=""/clause/relay"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">relay</a>, and transmission of information <a href=""/dictionary/required-by"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">required by</a> <a href=""/clause/public-safety-agencies"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">public safety agencies</a> in the <a href=""/clause/performance-of"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">performance of</a> their <a href=""/clause/duty"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">duty</a>. Based on 11 documents <dfn>Communications services</dfn> <!-- -->means the <a href=""/clause/electronic-transmission"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">electronic transmission</a>, <a href=""/clause/conveyance"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">conveyance</a>, or <a href=""/clause/routing"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">routing</a> of voice, <a href=""/clause/data"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">data</a>, <a href=""/clause/audio"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">audio</a>, <a href=""/clause/video"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">video</a>, or <a href=""/clause/any-other-information"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">any other information</a> or <a href=""/clause/signals"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">signals</a>, <a href=""/clause/including"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">including</a> <a href=""/clause/cable-services"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">cable services</a>, to a point or between or among <a href=""/clause/points"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">points</a>, by or through any electronic, <a href=""/clause/radio"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">radio</a>, <a href=""/clause/satellite"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">satellite</a>, cable, <a href=""/clause/optical"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">optical</a>, <a href=""/clause/microwave"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">microwave</a>, or other <a href=""/clause/medium"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">medium</a> or <a href=""/clause/method"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">method</a> now <a href=""/dictionary/in-existence"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">in existence</a> or hereafter devised, <a href=""/clause/regardless-of"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">regardless of</a> <a href=""/clause/the-protocol"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">the protocol</a> used for <a href=""/clause/the-transmission"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">the transmission</a> or conveyance. <a href=""/clause/the-term"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">The term</a> <a href=""/clause/includes"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">includes</a>, but is <a href=""/clause/not-limited"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">not limited</a> to, (i) <a href=""/clause/the-connection"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">the connection</a>, <a href=""/clause/movement"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">movement</a>, <a href=""/clause/change"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">change</a>, or <a href=""/clause/termination-of"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">termination of</a> communications services; (ii) <a href=""/dictionary/detailed-billing"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">detailed billing</a> of communications services; (<a href=""/clause/iii"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">iii</a>) <a href=""/clause/sale-of"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">sale of</a> <a href=""/clause/directory-listings"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">directory listings</a> <a href=""/clause/in-connection-with"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">in connection with</a> a communications service; (<a href=""/dictionary/iv"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">iv</a>) <a href=""/clause/central-office"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">central office</a> and <a href=""/clause/custom-calling-features"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">custom calling features</a>; (v) <a href=""/clause/voice-mail"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">voice mail</a> and other <a href=""/clause/messaging-services"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">messaging services</a>; and (vi) <a href=""/clause/directory-assistance"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">directory assistance</a>. Based on 10 documents <dfn>Communications services</dfn> <!-- -->means <a href=""/clause/cable-service"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">cable service</a> as <a href=""/clause/defined"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">defined</a> in 47 U.S.C. Based on 7 documents <dfn>Communications services</dfn> <!-- -->means <a href=""/clause/the-technology"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">the technology</a> of <a href=""/clause/reception"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">reception</a>, <a href=""/clause/relay"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">relay</a>, and Based on 7 documents <dfn>Communications services</dfn> <!-- -->means <a href=""/clause/cable-service"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">cable service</a> as <a href=""/clause/defined"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">defined</a> in 47 U.S.C. § 522(6); <a href=""/clause/telecommunications-service"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">telecommunications service</a> as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 153(53); <a href=""/clause/information-service"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">information service</a> as defined in 47 U.S.C. <a href=""/clause/section"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">Section</a> 153(24), as each such <a href=""/clause/term"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">term</a> existed on <a href=""/clause/january"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">January</a> 1, 2019; or <a href=""/clause/wireless-services"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">wireless services</a>. Based on 7 documents <dfn>Communications services</dfn> <!-- -->means any <a href=""/clause/service-provided"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">service provided</a> <a href=""/clause/for-the-purpose-of"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">for the purpose of</a> <a href=""/clause/transmission-of-information"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">transmission of information</a>, <a href=""/clause/including"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">including</a>, but <a href=""/clause/not-limited"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">not limited</a> to, <a href=""/clause/voice"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">voice</a>, <a href=""/clause/video"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">video</a>, or <a href=""/clause/data"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">data</a>, without regard to the <a href=""/dictionary/transmission-protocol"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">transmission protocol</a> <a href=""/clause/employed"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">employed</a>, whether or not the transmission <a href=""/clause/medium"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">medium</a> is owned <a href=""/clause/by-the-provider"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">by the provider</a> itself. Communications <a href=""/clause/service-includes"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">service includes</a> all <a href=""/clause/forms"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">forms</a> of telephone <a href=""/clause/services-and"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">services and</a> voice, video, data or information <a href=""/clause/transport"" rel="“noopener noreferrer”" target=""_blank"">transport</a>, but does not include: Based on 6 documents

Note: The Genie AI Legal Assistant pulled this data out of the SEC EDGAR Database of 500,000 records from the past 22 years of filings. We regularly update this page as new filings and definitions come in.

Search EDGAR for ‘Definitions of communications services’ yourself to verify these results. We are always keen to point people to source documents.

Which definition should you use?

🤔 Our AI Legal Assistant has combined and improved the above descriptions to create market-standard 'Genie definitions' below, with guidance on which documents and which industry to use for each.

Genie Definition 1

Communications Services means the provision and technology for transmitting information, irrespective of the method, that includes voice, video, data, audio and broadcasting services.

Relevant Contract Types

Relevant Circumstances

  • Partnership or collaboration between two companies for service transmission.
  • Hiring of a third-party service for data or information transmission.
  • Provisioning of services around technology-related communication needs.

Relevant Sectors

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What is the most popular definition of 'Communications Services'?

Communications Services means the provision and technology for transmitting information, irrespective of the method, that includes voice, video, data, audio and broadcasting services

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