### Question
What is the definition of basic telephone service?


### Answer
The definition of **basic telephone service** is as follows in *47 U.S.C. § 274*:

> any wireline telephone exchange service, or wireline telephone exchange service facility, provided by a Bell operating company in a telephone exchange area, except that such term does not include—


(A) a competitive wireline telephone exchange service provided in a telephone exchange area where another entity provides a wireline telephone exchange service that was provided on January 1, 1984, or


(B) a commercial mobile service

#### Citation:
  - *47 U.S.C. § 274*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 4-RADIO ACT OF 1927 > SUBCHAPTER II-COMMON CARRIERS > Part III-Special Provisions Concerning Bell Operating Companies**

