This section defines terms used in the article, including telecommunication device, telecommunication service, telecommunication service provider, and unlawful telecommunication device.
For the purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply: (1) MANUFACTURE OF AN UNLAWFUL TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE. The production or assembly of an unlawful telecommunication device or the modification, alteration, programming, or reprogramming of a telecommunication device to be capable of acquiring or facilitating the acquisition of telecommunication service without the consent of the telecommunication service provider. (2) PUBLISH. The communication or dissemination of information to any one or more persons, either orally in person, or by telephone, computer network, radio, television, or in a writing of any kind, including, without limitation, a letter or memorandum, circular, handbill, newspaper, magazine article, or book. (3) TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE. Any type of instrument, device, machine, or equipment that is capable of transmitting or receiving telephonic, electronic, or radio communications, or any part of such instrument, device, machine or equipment, or any computer circuit, computer chip, electronic mechanism, or other component that is capable of facilitating the transmission or reception of telephonic, electronic, or radio communication. (4) TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE. Any service provided for a charge or compensation to facilitate the origination, transmission, emission, or reception of signs, signals, data, writings, images, sounds, or intelligence of any nature by telephone, including cellular telephones, wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic, or photo-optical system. (5) TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE PROVIDER. A person or entity providing telecommunication service including, but not limited to, a cellular, paging, or other wireless communications company or other person or entity which, for a fee, supplies the facility, cell site, mobile telephone switching office, or other equipment or telecommunication service. (6) UNLAWFUL TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE. Any electronic serial number, mobile identification number, personal identification number, or any telecommunication device that is capable, or has been altered, modified, programmed, or reprogrammed alone or in conjunction with another access device or other equipment so as to be capable of acquiring or facilitating the acquisition of a telecommunication service without the consent of the telecommunication service provider. The term includes, but is not limited to, telecommunication devices altered to obtain service without the consent of the telecommunication service provider, tumbler phones, counterfeit or illegally cloned microchips, scanning receivers of wireless telecommunication service of a telecommunication service provider, and other instruments capable of disguising their identity or location or of gaining access to a communication system operated by a telecommunication service provider. Excluded from being classified as unlawful is a common piece of telephone installation and maintenance equipment known as a dial set or butt-in-ski.