---
kind: "section"
citation: "47 U.S.C. § 214"
title: "47"
title_heading: "Telecommunications"
number: "214"
heading: "Extension of lines or discontinuance of service; certificate of public convenience and necessity"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/47/214"
units:
  - "Chapter 5 — Wire or Radio Communication"
  - "Subchapter II — Common Carriers"
  - "Part I — Common Carrier Regulation"
---

# §214. Extension of lines or discontinuance of service; certificate of public convenience and necessity

- (a) **Exceptions; temporary or emergency service or discontinuance of service; changes in plant, operation or equipment—** No [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) shall undertake the [construction](/usc/47/397.md?p=1) of a new line or of an extension of any line, or shall acquire or operate any line, or extension thereof, or shall engage in transmission over or by means of such additional or extended line, unless and until there shall first have been obtained from the Commission a certificate that the present or future public convenience and necessity require or will require the [construction](/usc/47/397.md?p=1), or operation, or [construction](/usc/47/397.md?p=1) and operation, of such additional or extended line: Provided, That no such certificate shall be required under this section for the [construction](/usc/47/397.md?p=1), acquisition, or operation of (1) a line within a single [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) unless such line constitutes part of an interstate line, (2) local, branch, or terminal lines not exceeding ten miles in length, or (3) any line acquired under [section 221 of this title](/usc/47/221.md): Provided further, That the Commission may, upon appropriate request being made, authorize temporary or emergency service, or the supplementing of existing facilities, without regard to the provisions of this section. No [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) shall discontinue, reduce, or impair service to a community, or part of a community, unless and until there shall first have been obtained from the Commission a certificate that neither the present nor future public convenience and necessity will be adversely affected thereby; except that the Commission may, upon appropriate request being made, authorize temporary or emergency discontinuance, reduction, or impairment of service, or partial discontinuance, reduction, or impairment of service, without regard to the provisions of this section. As used in this section the term “line” means any channel of communication established by the use of appropriate equipment, other than a channel of communication established by the [interconnection](/usc/47/397.md?p=3) of two or more existing channels: Provided, however, That nothing in this section shall be construed to require a certificate or other authorization from the Commission for any installation, replacement, or other changes in plant, operation, or equipment, other than new [construction](/usc/47/397.md?p=1), which will not impair the adequacy or quality of service provided.
- (b) **Notification of Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and State Governor—** Upon receipt of an application for any such certificate, the Commission shall cause notice thereof to be given to, and shall cause a copy of such application to be filed with, the [Secretary](/usc/47/397.md?p=15) of Defense, the Secretary of State (with respect to such applications involving service to foreign points), and the Governor of each [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) in which such line is proposed to be constructed, extended, acquired, or operated, or in which such discontinuance, reduction, or impairment of service is proposed, with the right to those notified to be heard; and the Commission may require such published notice as it shall determine.
- (c) **Approval or disapproval; injunction—** The Commission shall have power to issue such certificate as applied for, or to refuse to issue it, or to issue it for a portion or portions of a line, or extension thereof, or discontinuance, reduction, or impairment of service, described in the application, or for the partial exercise only of such right or privilege, and may attach to the issuance of the certificate such terms and conditions as in its judgment the public convenience and necessity may require. After issuance of such certificate, and not before, the [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) may, without securing approval other than such certificate, comply with the terms and conditions contained in or attached to the issuance of such certificate and proceed with the [construction](/usc/47/397.md?p=1), extension, acquisition, operation, or discontinuance, reduction, or impairment of service covered thereby. Any [construction](/usc/47/397.md?p=1), extension, acquisition, operation, discontinuance, reduction, or impairment of service contrary to the provisions of this section may be enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction at the suit of the [United States](/usc/47/153.md?p=58), the Commission, the [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48), any [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) affected, or any party in interest.
- (d) **Order of Commission; hearing; penalty—** The Commission may, after full opportunity for hearing, in a proceeding upon complaint or upon its [own](/usc/47/153.md?p=2) initiative without complaint, authorize or require by order any [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11), party to such proceeding, to provide itself with adequate facilities for the expeditious and efficient performance of its service as a [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) and to extend its line or to establish a public office; but no such authorization or order shall be made unless the Commission finds, as to such provision of facilities, as to such establishment of public offices, or as to such extension, that it is reasonably required in the interest of public convenience and necessity, or as to such extension or facilities that the expense involved therein will not impair the ability of the [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) to perform its duty to the public. Any [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) which refuses or neglects to comply with any order of the Commission made in pursuance of this subsection shall forfeit to the [United States](/usc/47/153.md?p=58) $1,200 for each day during which such refusal or neglect continues.
- (e) **Provision of universal service—**
  - (1) **Eligible telecommunications carriers—** A [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) designated as an eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) under paragraph [(2)](#e-2), [(3)](#e-3), or [(6)](#e-6) shall be eligible to receive universal service support in accordance with [section 254 of this title](/usc/47/254.md) and shall, throughout the service area for which the designation is received—
    - (A) offer the services that are supported by Federal universal service support mechanisms under [section 254(c) of this title](/usc/47/254.md?p=c), either using its [own](/usc/47/153.md?p=2) facilities or a combination of its [own](/usc/47/153.md?p=2) facilities and resale of another [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11)’s services (including the services offered by another eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51)); and
    - (B) advertise the availability of such services and the charges therefor using media of general distribution.
  - (2) **Designation of eligible telecommunications carriers—** A [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48) shall upon its [own](/usc/47/153.md?p=2) motion or upon request designate a [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) that meets the requirements of [paragraph (1)](#e-1) as an eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) for a service area designated by the [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48). Upon request and consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity, the [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48) may, in the case of an area served by a [rural telephone company](/usc/47/153.md?p=44), and shall, in the case of all other areas, designate more than one [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) as an eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) for a service area designated by the [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48), so long as each additional requesting [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) meets the requirements of [paragraph (1)](#e-1). Before designating an additional eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) for an area served by a [rural telephone company](/usc/47/153.md?p=44), the [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48) shall find that the designation is in the public interest.
  - (3) **Designation of eligible telecommunications carriers for unserved areas—** If no [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) will provide the services that are supported by Federal universal service support mechanisms under [section 254(c) of this title](/usc/47/254.md?p=c) to an unserved community or any portion thereof that requests such service, the Commission, with respect to interstate services or an area served by a [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) to which [paragraph (6)](#e-6) applies, or a [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48), with respect to intrastate services, shall determine which [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) or [carriers](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) are best able to provide such service to the requesting unserved community or portion thereof and shall order such [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) or [carriers](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) to provide such service for that unserved community or portion thereof. Any [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) or [carriers](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) ordered to provide such service under this paragraph shall meet the requirements of [paragraph (1)](#e-1) and shall be designated as an eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) for that community or portion thereof.
  - (4) **Relinquishment of universal service—** A [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48) (or the Commission in the case of a [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) designated under [paragraph (6)](#e-6)) shall permit an eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) to relinquish its designation as such a [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) in any area served by more than one eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51). An eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) that seeks to relinquish its eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) designation for an area served by more than one eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) shall give advance notice to the [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48) (or the Commission in the case of a [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) designated under [paragraph (6)](#e-6)) of such relinquishment. Prior to permitting a [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) designated as an eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) to cease providing universal service in an area served by more than one eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51), the [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48) (or the Commission in the case of a [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) designated under [paragraph (6)](#e-6)) shall require the remaining eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) or [carriers](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) to ensure that all customers served by the relinquishing [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) will continue to be served, and shall require sufficient notice to permit the purchase or [construction](/usc/47/397.md?p=1) of adequate facilities by any remaining eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51). The [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48) (or the Commission in the case of a [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) designated under [paragraph (6)](#e-6)) shall establish a time, not to exceed one year after the [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48) (or the Commission in the case of a [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) designated under [paragraph (6)](#e-6)) approves such relinquishment under this paragraph, within which such purchase or [construction](/usc/47/397.md?p=1) shall be completed.
  - (5) **“Service area” defined—** The term “service area” means a geographic area established by a [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48) (or the Commission under [paragraph (6)](#e-6)) for the purpose of determining universal service obligations and support mechanisms. In the case of an area served by a [rural telephone company](/usc/47/153.md?p=44), “service area” means such company’s “study area” unless and until the Commission and the [States](/usc/47/153.md?p=47), after taking into account recommendations of a Federal-[State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) Joint Board instituted under [section 410(c) of this title](/usc/47/410.md?p=c), establish a different definition of service area for such company.
  - (6) **Common carriers not subject to State commission jurisdiction—** In the case of a [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) providing [telephone exchange service](/usc/47/153.md?p=54) and [exchange access](/usc/47/153.md?p=20) that is not subject to the jurisdiction of a [State commission](/usc/47/153.md?p=48), the Commission shall upon request designate such a [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) that meets the requirements of [paragraph (1)](#e-1) as an eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) for a service area designated by the Commission consistent with applicable Federal and [State](/usc/47/153.md?p=47) law. Upon request and consistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity, the Commission may, with respect to an area served by a [rural telephone company](/usc/47/153.md?p=44), and shall, in the case of all other areas, designate more than one [common carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) as an eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) for a service area designated under this paragraph, so long as each additional requesting [carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=11) meets the requirements of [paragraph (1)](#e-1). Before designating an additional eligible [telecommunications carrier](/usc/47/153.md?p=51) for an area served by a [rural telephone company](/usc/47/153.md?p=44), the Commission shall find that the designation is in the public interest.

## Source credit

(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title II, § 214, 48 Stat. 1075; Mar. 6, 1943, ch. 10, §§ 2–5, 57 Stat. 11; Pub. L. 93–506, § 1, Nov. 30, 1974, 88 Stat. 1577; Pub. L. 101–239, title III, § 3002(d), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2131; Pub. L. 103–414, title III, § 304(a)(4), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4296; Pub. L. 104–104, title I, § 102(a), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 80; Pub. L. 105–125, § 1, Dec. 1, 1997, 111 Stat. 2540.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1997—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 105–125, § 1(1), substituted “(2), (3), or (6)” for “(2) or (3)”.

Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 105–125, § 1(2), substituted “interstate services or an area served by a common carrier to which paragraph (6) applies” for “interstate services”.

Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 105–125, § 1(3), inserted “(or the Commission in the case of a common carrier designated under paragraph (6))” after “State commission” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 105–125, § 1(4), inserted “(or the Commission under paragraph (6))” after “State commission”.

Subsec. (e)(6). Pub. L. 105–125, § 1(5), added par. (6).

1996—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–104 added subsec. (e).

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–414 substituted “section 221” for “section 221 or 222”.

1989—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–239 substituted “$1,200” for “$100”.

1974—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 93–506 substituted “the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State (with respect to such applications involving service to foreign points),” for “the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy,”.

1943—Subsec. (a). Act Mar. 6, 1943, § 2, among other changes inserted all after “no carrier shall discontinue”, etc.

Subsec. (b). Act Mar. 6, 1943, § 3, among other changes provided notice should be filed with Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy.

Subsec. (c). Act Mar. 6, 1943, § 4, extended provisions to include discontinuance, reduction, or impairment of service.

Subsec. (d). Act Mar. 6, 1943, § 5, amended first sentence.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Extension of Lines; ARMIS Reports

Pub. L. 104–104, title IV, § 402(b)(2), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 129, provided that: “The Commission shall permit any common carrier— to be exempt from the requirements of section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934 [47 U.S.C. 214] for the extension of any line; and to file cost allocation manuals and ARMIS reports annually, to the extent such carrier is required to file such manuals or reports.”