Title 47Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-73not60

§641 Definitions

Title 47 › Chapter 5— WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › Subchapter VII— BROADBAND DATA › § 641

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines key terms used in the subchapter. It lists fourteen words and explains what each one refers to. "Broadband internet access service" means whatever 47 C.F.R. 8.1(b) (or a later rule) says. "Broadband Map" is the map the Commission makes under section 642(c)(1)(A). "Cell edge probability" is the chance that minimum download and upload speeds are met at the intended outer edge of a cell. "Cell loading" is the percentage of a base station’s wireless resources used by customers. "Clutter" is any natural or man-made feature that affects a signal from a base station. "Fabric" is the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric set up under 642(b)(1)(B). "Form 477" is the FCC form for local phone and broadband reporting. "Indian Tribe" has the meaning given in 25 U.S.C. 5304. "Mobility Fund Phase II" is the second phase of the Mobility Fund proceeding (WC Docket No. 10–90; WT Docket No. 10–208). "Propagation model" is a mathematical model of how radio waves travel. "Provider" is a company that offers fixed or mobile broadband. "Quality of service" means download and upload speeds and, when relevant, latency as measured by the Commission. "Shapefile" is a digital file with location data about broadband that works in GIS software. "Standard broadband installation" is starting fixed service where it was not offered before with no extra charges or delays for extending the network, including routine installs that can be finished within 10 business days after the request.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §641

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In this subchapter:
(1)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.
(2)The term “Broadband Map” means the map created by the Commission under section 642(c)(1)(A) of this title.
(3)The term “cell edge probability” means the likelihood that the minimum threshold download and upload speeds with respect to broadband internet access service will be met or exceeded at a distance from a base station that is intended to indicate the ultimate edge of the coverage area of a cell.
(4)The term “cell loading” means the percentage of the available air interface resources of a base station that are used by consumers with respect to broadband internet access service.
(5)The term “clutter” means a natural or man-made surface feature that affects the propagation of a signal from a base station.
(6)The term “Fabric” means the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric established under section 642(b)(1)(B) of this title.
(7)The term “Form 477” means Form 477 of the Commission relating to local telephone competition and broadband reporting.
(8)The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given the term “Indian tribe” in section 5304 of title 25.
(9)The term “Mobility Fund Phase II” means the second phase of the proceeding to provide universal service support from the Mobility Fund (WC Docket No. 10–90; WT Docket No. 10–208).
(10)The term “propagation model” means a mathematical formulation for the characterization of radio wave propagation as a function of frequency, distance, and other conditions.
(11)The term “provider” means a provider of fixed or mobile broadband internet access service.
(12)The term “quality of service” means, with respect to broadband internet access service, the download and upload speeds (and, for relevant services, latency) with respect to that service, as determined by, and to the extent otherwise collected by, the Commission.
(13)The term “shapefile” means a digital storage format containing geospatial or location-based data and attribute information—
(A)regarding the availability of broadband internet access service; and
(B)that can be viewed, edited, and mapped in geographic information system software.
(14)The term “standard broadband installation”—
(A)means the initiation by a provider of fixed broadband internet access service in an area in which the provider has not previously offered that service, with no charges or delays attributable to the extension of the network of the provider; and
(B)includes the initiation of fixed broadband internet access service through routine installation that can be completed not later than 10 business days after the date on which the service request is submitted.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 641

Title 47Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60