Wired Telecommunications Carriers
Description
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating, maintaining, and/or providing access to transmission facilities and infrastructure that they own and/or lease for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using wired telecommunications networks. Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a combination of technologies. Establishments in this industry use the wired telecommunications network facilities that they operate to provide a variety of services, such as wired telephony services, including VoIP services; wired (cable) audio and video programming distribution; and wired broadband Internet services. By exception, establishments providing satellite television distribution services using facilities and infrastructure that they operate are included in this industry. Illustrative Examples: Broadband Internet service providers, wired (e.g., cable, DSL) Cable television distribution services Closed-circuit television (CCTV) services Direct-to-home satellite system (DTH) services Local telephone carriers, wired Long-distance telephone carriers, wired Multichannel multipoint distribution services (MMDS) Satellite television distribution systems Telecommunications carriers, wired VoIP service providers, using own operated wired telecommunications infrastructure
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Information 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Information sector comprises establishments engaged in the following processes: (a) producing and distributing information and cultural products, (b) providing the means to transmit or distribute these products as well as data or communications, and (c) processing data. The main components of this sector are motion picture and sound recording industries; publishing industries, including software publishing; broadcasting and content providers; telecommunications industries; computing infrastructure providers, data processing, Web hosting, and related services; and Web search portals, libraries, archives, and other information services. The unique characteristics of information and cultural products, and of the processes involved in their production and distribution, distinguish the Information sector from the goods-producing and service-producing sectors. Some of these characteristics are: 1. Unlike traditional goods, an ''information or cultural product,'' such as an online newspaper or a television program, does not necessarily have tangible qualities, nor is it necessarily associated with a particular form. A movie can be viewed at a movie theater or through television broadcast, video-on-demand, or streaming services. A sound recording can be aired on radio, embedded in multimedia products, streamed, or sold at a record store. 2. Unlike traditional services, the delivery of these products does not require direct contact between the supplier and the consumer. 3. The value of these products to the consumer lies in their informational, educational, cultural, or entertainment content, not in the format in which they are distributed. Most of these products are protected from unlawful reproduction by copyright laws. 4. The intangible property aspect of information and cultural products makes the processes involved in their production and distribution very different from goods and services. Only those possessing the rights to these works are authorized to reproduce, alter, improve, and distribute them. Acquiring and using these rights often involves significant costs. In addition, technology has revolutionized the distribution of these products. It is possible to distribute them in a physical form, via broadcast, or online. 5. Distributors of information and cultural products can easily add value to the products they distribute. For instance, broadcasters add advertising not contained in the original product. This capacity means that unlike traditional goods distributors, they derive revenue not from sale of the distributed product to the final consumer, but from those who pay for the privilege of adding information to the original product. Similarly, a directory and mailing list publisher can acquire the rights to thousands of previously published newspaper and periodical articles and add new value by providing search and software and organizing the information in a way that facilitates research and retrieval. These products often command a much higher price than the original information. Excluded from this sector are establishments primarily engaged in custom design of software; mass reproducing software or other prerecorded audio and video material on magnetic or optical media; producing live artistic and cultural works or productions; and performing in or creating artistic and cultural works or productions as independent (i.e., freelance) individuals. |
| 517 | Telecommunications 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Telecommunications subsector group establishments that provide telecommunications and the services related to that activity (e.g., telephony, including Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP); cable and satellite television distribution services; Internet access; telecommunications reselling services). The Telecommunications subsector is primarily engaged in operating and/or providing access to facilities for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video. Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a combination of technologies. Establishments primarily engaged as independent contractors in the installation and maintenance of telecommunications systems are classified in Sector 23, Construction. |
| 5171 | Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) operating transmission facilities and infrastructure that they own and/or lease, and providing telecommunications services using wired and wireless telecommunications networks; (2) reselling wired and wireless telecommunications services (except satellite); and (3) acting as agents for wireless telecommunications services. |
| 51711 | Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating, maintaining, and/or providing access to switching and transmission facilities and infrastructure that they own and/or lease for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using wired and wireless telecommunications networks (except satellite). Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a combination of technologies. By exception, establishments providing satellite television distribution services using facilities and infrastructure that they operate are included in this industry. Illustrative Examples: Broadband Internet service providers, wired (e.g., cable, DSL) Cable television distribution services Cellular telephone service carriers Direct-to-home satellite system (DTH) services Satellite television distribution systems Telecommunications carriers, wired and wireless VoIP service providers, using own operated wired telecommunications infrastructure Wireless Internet service providers, except satellite Wireless telecommunications carriers, except satellite Wireless telephone communications carriers, except satellite |
| 517111 | Wired Telecommunications Carriers 6-digit U.S. detail | This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating, maintaining, and/or providing access to transmission facilities and infrastructure that they own and/or lease for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using wired telecommunications networks. Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a combination of technologies. Establishments in this industry use the wired telecommunications network facilities that they operate to provide a variety of services, such as wired telephony services, including VoIP services; wired (cable) audio and video programming distribution; and wired broadband Internet services. By exception, establishments providing satellite television distribution services using facilities and infrastructure that they operate are included in this industry. Illustrative Examples: Broadband Internet service providers, wired (e.g., cable, DSL) Cable television distribution services Closed-circuit television (CCTV) services Direct-to-home satellite system (DTH) services Local telephone carriers, wired Long-distance telephone carriers, wired Multichannel multipoint distribution services (MMDS) Satellite television distribution systems Telecommunications carriers, wired VoIP service providers, using own operated wired telecommunications infrastructure |
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Classification References
- 01Operating and maintaining wireless telecommunications networks--are classified in U.S. Industry 517112, Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite);
- 02Operating television and radio broadcasting networks, including satellite television and radio networks, that produce media programming for distribution through cable, satellite, streaming, or Internet broadcasting--are classified in Industry 516210, Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers;
- 03Operating radio and television broadcasting stations--are classified in Industry Group 5161, Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations;
- 04Reselling telecommunications services (except satellite telecommunications and agents for wireless telecommunications services), without operating a network--are classified in U.S. Industry 517121, Telecommunications Resellers;
- 05Acting as agents for wireless telecommunications services, including operating as agents for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs)--are classified in U.S. Industry 517122, Agents for Wireless Telecommunications Services;
- 06Reselling satellite telecommunications services--are classified in Industry 517410, Satellite Telecommunications;
- 07Providing Internet access services via client-supplied telecommunications connections (e.g., dial-up ISPs)--are classified in Industry 517810, All Other Telecommunications;
- 08Providing voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services via client-supplied telecommunications connections--are classified in Industry 517810, All Other Telecommunications; and
- 09Providing expert advice in the field of information technology or in integrating communication and computer systems--are classified in Industry 54151, Computer Systems Design and Related Services.
Index Items
Cable program distribution operators
Cable television distribution services
Cable TV providers (except networks)
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) services
Direct broadcast satellite (DBS) services
Direct-to-home satellite system (DTH) services
Internet service providers, using own operated wired telecommunications infrastructure (e.g., cable, DSL)
Local telephone carriers, wired
Long-distance telephone carriers, wired
Multichannel multipoint distribution services (MMDS)
Online access service providers, using own operated wired telecommunications infrastructure
Satellite master antenna television service (SMATV)
Satellite television distribution systems
Telecommunications carriers, wired
Television operations, closed-circuit
VoIP service providers, using own operated wired telecommunications infrastructure
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External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 517111.
National Association of Wireless Telecommunications Operators
Industry trade association representing wireless carriers across North America.
Federal Communications Commission
US government agency providing regulations, resources, and data for wired telecommunications carriers.
Wired.com
Industry publication and directory featuring news and analysis on wired telecom companies.
