Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-110
§161 Regulatory Reform
Title 47 › CHAPTER 5 — WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › SUBCHAPTER I — GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 161
Summary
Every even-numbered year starting in 1998, the Commission must review all rules that govern how telecom providers operate. If a rule is no longer needed for the public good because providers face real competition, the Commission must change or cancel it.
Full Legal Text
Title 47, §161
Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Biennial review of regulations
In every even-numbered year (beginning with 1998), the Commission—
(1)shall review all regulations issued under this chapter in effect at the time of the review that apply to the operations or activities of any provider of telecommunications service; and
(2)shall determine whether any such regulation is no longer necessary in the public interest as the result of meaningful economic competition between providers of such service.
(b)Effect of determination
The Commission shall repeal or modify any regulation it determines to be no longer necessary in the public interest.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), 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. § 161
Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110