Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-73
§218 Management of business; inquiries by Commission
Title 47 › Chapter CHAPTER 5— - WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - COMMON CARRIERS › Part Part I— - Common Carrier Regulation › § 218
Summary
The Commission can investigate how communications companies covered by the law run their businesses and must stay up to date on technical improvements in wire and radio systems so new inventions help the public. It can require full information from those companies and from people or firms that control them or are controlled by them.
Full Legal Text
Title 47, §218
Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Commission may inquire into the management of the business of all carriers subject to this chapter, and shall keep itself informed as to the manner and method in which the same is conducted and as to technical developments and improvements in wire and radio communication and radio transmission of energy to the end that the benefits of new inventions and developments may be made available to the people of the United States. The Commission may obtain from such carriers and from persons directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such carriers full and complete information necessary to enable the Commission to perform the duties and carry out the objects for which it was created.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, known as the Communications Act of 1934, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
47 U.S.C. § 218
Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73