r/title-47-TELECOMMUNICATIONS wiki — defined terms
The statute’s own glossary: every term Title 47 defines, in section order.
“broadband” applies in that section
The term “broadband” or “broadband service” has the meaning given the term “broadband internet access service” in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. (3) Commission
“broadband service” applies in that section
The term “broadband” or “broadband service” has the meaning given the term “broadband internet access service” in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. (3) Commission
“Commission” applies in that section
The term “Commission” means the Federal Communications Commission. (4) Covered broadband project
“covered broadband project” applies in that section
The term “covered broadband project” means a competitively and technologically neutral project for the deployment of fixed broadband service that provides qualifying broadband service in an eligible service area. (5) Covered partnership
“covered partnership” applies in that section
The term “covered partnership” means a partnership between— (A) a State, or 1 or more political subdivisions of a State; and (B) a provider of fixed broadband service. (6) Department
“Department” applies in that section
The term “Department” means the Department of Commerce. (7) Eligible service area
“eligible entity” applies in that section
The term “eligible entity” means— (A) a Tribal Government; (B) a Tribal College or University; (C) the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on behalf of the Native Hawaiian Community, including Native Hawaiian Education Programs; (D) a Tribal organization; or (E) a Native Corporation. (9) Native Corporation
“eligible service area” applies in that section
The term “eligible service area” means a census block in which broadband service is not available at 1 or more households or businesses in the census block, as determined by the Assistant Secretary on the basis of— (A) the maps created under section 802(c)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 642(c)(1) ); or (B) if the maps described in subparagraph (A) are not available, the most recent information available to the Assistant Secretary, including information provided by the Commission. (8) Eligible entity
“initial round of funding” applies in that section
the term “initial round of funding”— (i) means the allocation under paragraph (2)(E) of funds appropriated under subsection (b)(1); and (ii) does not include any reallocation of funds under paragraph (2)(F).
“Native Corporation” applies in that section
The term “Native Corporation” has the meaning given the term in section 1602 of title 43 . (10) Native Hawaiian
“Native Hawaiian” applies in that section
The term “Native Hawaiian” has the meaning given the term in section 4221 of title 25 . (11) Qualifying broadband service
“qualifying broadband service” applies in that section
The term “qualifying broadband service” means broadband service with— (A) a download speed of not less than 25 megabits per second; (B) an upload speed of not less than 3 megabits per second; and (C) a latency sufficient to support real-time, interactive applications. (12) Tribal Government
“Tribal Government” applies in that section
The term “Tribal Government” means the governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, component band, or component reservation, individually recognized (including parenthetically) in the list published most recently as of December 27, 2020 , pursuant to section 5131 of title 25 . (13) Tribal land
“Tribal land” applies in that section
The term “Tribal land” means— (A) any land located within the boundaries of— (i) an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria; or (ii) a former reservation within Oklahoma; (B) any land not located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria, the title to which is held— (i) in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian Tribe or an individual Indian; (ii) by an Indian Tribe or an individual Indian, subject to restriction against alienation under laws of the United States; or (iii) by a dependent Indian community; (C) any land located within a region established pursuant to section 1606(a) of title 43 ; (D) Hawaiian Home Lands, as defined in section 4221 …
“adoption of broadband” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “adoption of broadband” means the process by which an individual obtains daily access to the internet— (A) at a speed, quality, and capacity— (i) that is necessary for the individual to accomplish common tasks; and (ii) such that the access qualifies as an advanced telecommunications capability; (B) with the digital skills that are necessary for the individual to participate online; and (C) on a— (i) personal device; and (ii) secure and convenient network. (2) Advanced telecommunications capability
“advanced telecommunications capability” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “advanced telecommunications capability” has the meaning given the term in section 1302(d) of this title . (3) Aging individual
“aging individual” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “aging individual” has the meaning given the term “older individual” in section 3002 of title 42 . (4) Appropriate committees of Congress
“appropriate committees of Congress” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “appropriate committees of Congress” means— (A) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (C) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and (D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. (5) Assistant Secretary
“Assistant Secretary” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “Assistant Secretary” means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. (6) Community anchor institution
“community anchor institution” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “community anchor institution” means a public school, a public or multi-family housing authority, a library, a medical or healthcare provider, a community college or other institution of higher education, a State library agency, and any other nonprofit or governmental community support organization. (7) Covered household
“covered household” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “covered household” means a household, the income of which for the most recently completed year is not more than 150 percent of an amount equal to the poverty level, as determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census. (8) Covered populations
“covered populations” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “covered populations” means— (A) individuals who live in covered households; (B) aging individuals; (C) incarcerated individuals, other than individuals who are incarcerated in a Federal correctional facility; (D) veterans; (E) individuals with disabilities; (F) individuals with a language barrier, including individuals who— (i) are English learners; and (ii) have low levels of literacy; (G) individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group; and (H) individuals who primarily reside in a rural area. (9) Covered programs
“covered programs” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “covered programs” means the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program established under section 1723 of this title and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program established under section 1724 of this title . (10) Digital equity
“digital equity” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “digital equity” means the condition in which individuals and communities have the information technology capacity that is needed for full participation in the society and economy of the United States. (11) Digital inclusion
“digital inclusion” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “digital inclusion”— (A) means the activities that are necessary to ensure that all individuals in the United States have access to, and the use of, affordable information and communication technologies, such as— (i) reliable fixed and wireless broadband internet service; (ii) internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; and (iii) applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration; and (B) includes— (i) obtaining access to digital literacy training; (ii) the provision of quality technical support; and (iii) obtaining basic awareness of measures to ensure online privacy and cybersecurity.
“digital literacy” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “digital literacy” means the skills associated with using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information. (13) Disability
“disability” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “disability” has the meaning given the term in section 12102 of title 42 . (14) Eligible State
“eligible State” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “eligible State” means— (A) with respect to planning grants made available under section 60304(c)(3), a State with respect to which the Assistant Secretary has approved an application submitted to the Assistant Secretary under section 1723(c)(3)(C) of this title ; and (B) with respect to capacity grants awarded under section 1723(d) of this title , a State with respect to which the Assistant Secretary has approved an application submitted to the Assistant Secretary under section 1723(d)(2) of this title , including approval of the State Digital Equity Plan developed by the State under section 1723(c) of this title . (15) Gender identity
“gender identity” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “gender identity” has the meaning given the term in section 249(c) of title 18 . (16) Indian Tribe
“Indian Tribe” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 5304(e) of title 25 . (17) Institution of higher education
“institution of higher education” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “institution of higher education”— (A) has the meaning given the term in section 1001 of title 20 ; and (B) includes a postsecondary vocational institution. (18) Local educational agency
“local educational agency” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “local educational agency” has the meaning given the term in section 7801(30) of title 20 . (19) Postsecondary vocational institution
“postsecondary vocational institution” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “postsecondary vocational institution” has the meaning given the term in section 1002(c) of title 20 . (20) Rural area
“rural area” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “rural area” has the meaning given the term in section 950bb(b)(3) of title 7 . (21) State
“State” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “State” means— (A) any State of the United States; (B) the District of Columbia; and (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (22) Veteran
“veteran” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “veteran” has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38 . (23) Workforce development program
“workforce development program” applies throughout its subchapter
The term “workforce development program” has the meaning given the term in section 3102(66) of title 29 .
“anchor institution” applies in that section
The term “anchor institution” means a school, library, medical or healthcare provider, community college or other institution of higher education, or other community support organization or entity. (2) Assistant Secretary
“Assistant Secretary” applies in that section
The term “Assistant Secretary” means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. (3) Commission
“Commission” applies in that section
The term “Commission” means the Federal Communications Commission. (4) Eligible entity
“eligible entity” applies in that section
The term “eligible entity” means— (A) a State, political subdivision of a State, Tribal government, technology company, electric utility, utility cooperative, public utility district, telecommunications company, telecommunications cooperative, nonprofit foundation, nonprofit corporation, nonprofit institution, nonprofit association, regional planning counsel, Native entity, or economic development authority; or (B) a partnership of 2 or more entities described in subparagraph (A). (5) FCC fixed broadband map
“FCC fixed broadband map” applies in that section
The term “FCC fixed broadband map” means the map created by the Commission under section 642(c)(1)(B) of this title . (6) Indian Tribe
“Indian Tribe” applies in that section
The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 5304 of title 25 . (7) Interconnect
“interconnect” applies in that section
The term “interconnect” means the physical linking of 2 networks for the mutual exchange of traffic on non-discriminatory terms and conditions. (8) Internet exchange facility
“internet exchange facility” applies in that section
The term “internet exchange facility” means physical infrastructure through which internet service providers and content delivery networks exchange internet traffic between their networks. (9) Middle mile infrastructure
“middle mile grant” applies in that section
The term “middle mile grant” means a grant awarded under subsection (c). (11) Native entity
“middle mile infrastructure” applies in that section
The term “middle mile infrastructure”— (A) means any broadband infrastructure that does not connect directly to an end-user location, including an anchor institution; and (B) includes— (i) leased dark fiber, interoffice transport, backhaul, carrier-neutral internet exchange facilities, carrier-neutral submarine cable landing stations, undersea cables, transport connectivity to data centers, special access transport, and other similar services; and (ii) wired or private wireless broadband infrastructure, including microwave capacity, radio tower access, and other services or infrastructure for a private wireless broadband network, such as towers, fiber, and microwave links.
“Native entity” applies in that section
The term “Native entity” means— (A) an Indian Tribe; (B) an Alaska Native Corporation; (C) a Native Hawaiian organization (as defined in section 7517 of title 20 ; (D) the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; and (E) the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. (12) State
“State” applies in that section
The term “State” has the meaning given the term in section 153 of this title . (13) Submarine cable landing station
“submarine cable landing station” applies in that section
The term “submarine cable landing station” means a cable landing station, as that term is used in section 1.767(a)(5) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), that can be utilized to land a submarine cable by an entity that has obtained a license under the first section of the Act entitled “An Act relating to the landing and operation of submarine cables in the United States”, approved May 27, 1921 ( 47 U.S.C. 34 ) (commonly known as the “Cable Landing Licensing Act”). (14) Tribal government
“Tribal government” applies in that section
The term “Tribal government” means the recognized governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, component band, or component reservation, individually identified (including parenthetically) in the list published most recently as of November 15, 2021 , pursuant to section 5131 of title 25 . (15) Trust land
“trust land” applies in that section
The term “trust land” has the meaning given the term in section 3765 of title 38 . (16) Underserved The term “underserved”, with respect to an area, means an area— (A) that is designated as a Tribally underserved area through the process described in subsection (g); or (B) that— (i) is of a standard size not larger than a census block, as established by the Commission; (ii) is not an unserved area; and (iii) as determined in accordance with the FCC fixed broadband map, does not have access to broadband service with— (I) except as provided in subclause (II)— (aa) a download speed of not less than 100 megabits per second; and (bb) an upload speed of not less than 20 megabits per second; or …
“broadband internet access service” applies throughout its subchapter
the term “broadband internet access service” has the meaning given the term in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation; and;
“Commission” applies throughout its subchapter
the term “Commission” means the Federal Communications Commission.
“affordable connectivity benefit” applies in that section
the term “affordable connectivity benefit” means a monthly discount for an eligible household applied to the actual amount charged to such household, in an amount equal to such amount charged, but not more than $30, or, if an internet service offering is provided to an eligible household on Tribal land, not more than $75.
“broadband internet access service” applies in that section
The term “broadband internet access service” has the meaning given such term in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. (2) Broadband provider
“broadband provider” applies in that section
The term “broadband provider” means a provider of broadband internet access service. (3) Commission
“Commission” applies in that section
The term “Commission” means the Federal Communications Commission. (4) Connected device
“connected device” applies in that section
The term “connected device” means a laptop or desktop computer or a tablet. (5) Designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier The term “designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier”, with respect to a broadband provider, means the broadband provider is designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier under section 214(e) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 214(e) ). (6) Eligible household
“eligible household” applies in that section
The term “eligible household” means, regardless of whether the household or any member of the household receives support under subpart E of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), and regardless of whether any member of the household has any past or present arrearages with a broadband provider, a household in which— (A) at least one member of the household meets the qualifications in subsection (a) or (b) of section 54.409 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation) except that such subsection (a), including for purposes of such subsection (b), shall be applied by substituting “200 percent” for “135 percent”; (B) at least …
“internet service offering” applies in that section
The term “internet service offering” means, with respect to a broadband provider, broadband internet access service provided by such provider to a household. (9) National Lifeline Accountability Database
“National Lifeline Accountability Database” applies in that section
The term “National Lifeline Accountability Database” has the meaning given such term in section 54.400 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). (10) National Verifier
“National Verifier” applies in that section
The term “National Verifier” has the meaning given such term in section 54.400 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. (11) Participating provider
“participating provider” applies in that section
The term “participating provider” means a broadband provider that— (A) (i) is designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier; or (ii) meets requirements established by the Commission for participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program and is approved by the Commission under subsection (d)(2); and (B) elects to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program.