§11-15B-2b. Telecommunications definitions.

(a) General. -- When used in this article and articles fifteen and fifteen-a of this chapter, words defined in subsection (b) of this section shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except in those instances where a different meaning is distinctly expressed or the context in which the term is used clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended by the Legislature.

(b) Terms defined. -–

(1) "Telecommunications service" or "telecommunication service" means the electronic transmission, conveyance or routing of voice, data, audio, video or any other information or signals to a point, or between or among points.

(A) The terms "telecommunications service" or "telecommunication service" includes the transmission, conveyance or routing in which computer processing applications are used to act on the form, code or protocol of the content for purposes of transmission, conveyance or routing without regard to whether the service is referred to as voice over Internet protocol services or is classified by the Federal Communications Commission as enhanced or value added.

(B) "Telecommunications service" or "telecommunication service" does not include:

(i) Advertising, including, but not limited to, directory advertising;

(ii) "Ancillary services";

(iii) Billing and collection services provided to third parties;

(iv) Data processing and information services that allow data to be generated, acquired, stored, processed or retrieved and delivered by an electronic transmission to a purchaser where the purchaser's primary purpose for the underlying transaction is the processed data or information;

(v) Digital products "delivered electronically", including, but not limited to, software, music, video, reading materials or ring tones;

(vi) Installation or maintenance of wiring or equipment on a customer's premises;

(vii) Internet access service;

(viii) Radio and television audio and video programming services, regardless of the medium, including the furnishing of transmission, conveyance and routing of services by the programming service provider. Radio and television audio and video programming services shall include, but not be limited to, cable service as defined in 47 U.S.C. §522(6) and audio and video programming services delivered by commercial mobile radio service providers, as defined in 47 CFR 20.3; or

(ix) Tangible personal property.

(2) Related or ancillary terms.--

The following terms are either used in subsection (a) of this section or are commonly associated with terms used in that subsection.

(A) "800 service" means a "telecommunications service" that allows a caller to dial a toll-free number without incurring a charge for the call. The service is typically marketed under the name "800", "855", "866", "877" and "888" toll-free calling and any subsequent numbers designated by the Federal Communications Commission.

(B) "900 service" means an inbound toll "telecommunications service" purchased by a subscriber that allows the subscriber's customers to call in to the subscriber's prerecorded announcement or live service. "900 service" does not include the charge for collection services provided by the seller of the "telecommunications services" to the subscriber or service or product sold by the subscriber to the subscriber's customer. The service is typically marketed under the name "900 service" and any subsequent numbers designated by the Federal Communications Commission.

(C) "Coin-operated telephone service" means a "telecommunications service" paid for by inserting money into a telephone accepting direct deposits of money to operate.

(D) "Conference-bridging service" means an "ancillary service" that links two or more participants of an audio or video conference call and may include the provision of a telephone number. "Conference-bridging service" does not include the "telecommunications services" used to reach the conference bridge.

(E) "Detailed telecommunications billing service" means an "ancillary service" of separately stating information pertaining to individual calls on a customer's billing statement.

(F) "Directory assistance" means an "ancillary service" of providing telephone number information and/or address information.

(G) "Fixed wireless service" means a "telecommunications service" that provides radio communication between fixed points.

(H) "International" means a "telecommunications service" that originates or terminates in the United States and terminates or originates outside the United States, respectively. United States includes the District of Columbia or a United States territory or possession.

(I) "Interstate" means a "telecommunications service" that originates in one United States state, territory or possession and terminates in a different United States state, territory or possession.

(J) "Intrastate" means a "telecommunications service" that originates in one United States state, territory or possession and terminates in the same United States state, territory or possession.

(K) "Mobile wireless service" means a "telecommunications service" that is transmitted, conveyed or routed regardless of the technology used, whereby the origination and/or termination points of the transmission, conveyance or routing are not fixed, including, by way of example only, "telecommunications services" that are provided by a commercial mobile radio service provider.

(L) "Paging service" means a "telecommunications service" that provides transmission of coded radio signals for the purpose of activating specific pagers and may include messages and/or sounds.

(M) "Pay telephone service" means a "telecommunications service" provided through any pay telephone.

(N) "Residential telecommunications service" means a "telecommunications service" or "ancillary services" provided to an individual for personal use at a residential address, including an individual dwelling unit such as an apartment. In the case of institutions where individuals reside, such as schools or nursing homes, "telecommunications service" is considered residential if it is provided to and paid for by an individual resident rather than the institution.

(O) "Value-added nonvoice data service" means a service that otherwise meets the definition of "telecommunications services" in which computer processing applications are used to act on the form, content, code or protocol of the information or data primarily for a purpose other than transmission, conveyance or routing.

(P) "Vertical service" means an "ancillary service" that is offered in connection with one or more "telecommunications services" which offers advanced calling features that allow customers to identify callers and to manage multiple calls and call connections, including "conference-bridging services".

(Q) "Voice mail service" means an "ancillary service" that enables the customer to store, send or receive recorded messages. "Voice mail service" does not include any "vertical services" that the customer may be required to have in order to utilize the "voice mail service".

(c) Effective date. -- This section enacted in the year 2006 shall apply to purchases made on or after July 1, 2006.