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A. “Telephone business” means the business of providing access to a local telephone network, local telephone network switching service, toll service, cellular telephone service, or coin telephone services, or providing telephonic, video, data, or similar communication or transmission for hire, via a local telephone network, toll line or channel, or similar communication or transmission system, and as more fully defined in RCW 82.04.065. It includes cooperative or farmer line telephone companies or associations operating an exchange. “Telephone business” does not include the providing of competitive telephone service, nor the providing of cable television service, nor the providing of broadcast services by radio or television stations.

B. “Cellular telephone service” is a two-way voice and data telephone/telecommunications system based in whole or substantially in part on wireless radio communications and which is not subject to regulation by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). This includes cellular mobile service. The definition of “cellular mobile service” includes other wireless radio communications services such as specialized mobile radio (SMR), personal communications services (PCS), and any other evolving wireless radio communications technology which accomplishes a purpose similar to cellular mobile service.

C. “Competitive telephone service” means the providing by any person of telecommunications equipment, apparatus, or service related to that equipment or apparatus, such as repair or maintenance services, if the equipment or apparatus is of a type which can be provided by persons that are not subject to regulation as telephone companies under RCW Title 80, and for which a separate charge is made. Transmission of communication through cellular telephones is classified as “telephone business” in subsection A of this section rather than “competitive telephone service.”

D. “Network telephone service” means the providing by any person of access to a telephone network, telephone network switching service, toll service, or coin telephone service, or providing of telephonic, video, voice, data, or similar communication or transmission for hire, via a telephone network, toll line or channel, cable, microwave, or similar communication or transmission system. “Network telephone service” includes the provision of electronic transmitting to and from the site of an internet service provider via a telephone network, toll line or channel, cable, microwave, or similar communication or transmitting system, without regard to whether such service is referred to as voice over internet protocol services. It also encompasses interstate service, including toll service, originating from or received on telecommunications equipment or apparatus in this state if the charge for the service is billed to a person in this state. “Network telephone service” does not include the providing of competitive telephone service, the providing of cable television service, or the providing of broadcast services by radio or television stations, nor the provision of internet service as defined in RCW 82.04.297, including the reception of dial-in connection provided at the site of the internet service provider.

E. “Pager service” means service provided by means of an electronic device which has the ability to send or receive voice or digital messages transmitted through the local telephone network via satellite or any other form of voice or data transmission.

F. “Place of primary use” means the residential street address or the primary business street address of the customer and in both cases must be located within the licensed service area of the home service provider.

G. “Telecommunications company” includes every corporation, company, association, joint stock association, partnership and person, their lessees, trustees or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever, and every city or town owning, operating or managing any facilities used to provide telecommunications for hire, sale, or resale to the general public within this state.

H. “Telegraph business” means the business of providing telegraphic communication for hire. (Ord. 6921 § 2 (Exh. B), 2023; Ord. 6875 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 6790 § 2 (Exh. B), 2020; Ord. 5673 § 2, 2002; Ord. 4722 § 1, 1994; Ord. 3679 § 4, 1981. Formerly 5.82.010.)