FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 239: Acquisition of Information Technology › Subpart 239.74

DFARS 239.7401 Definitions.

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This section defines terms used in DFARS subpart 239.74, covering telecommunications acquisitions by the Government. It matters to contractors because these definitions determine whether their business qualifies as a common carrier, foreign carrier, or noncommon carrier, and what counts as telecommunications services or long-haul telecommunications under this subpart.

Applies to: Contractors and entities involved in Government telecommunications acquisitions under DFARS subpart 239.74

Key terms: Common carrier · Foreign carrier · Governmental regulatory body · Long-haul telecommunications · Noncommon carrier

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

As used in this subpart—

) Common carrier means any entity engaged in the business of providing telecommunications services which are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission or other governmental body.

Foreign carrier means any person, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, governmental body, or corporation not subject to regulation by a U.S. governmental regulatory body and not doing business as a citizen of the United States, providing telecommunications services outside the territorial limits of the United States.

Governmental regulatory body means the Federal Communications Commission, any statewide regulatory body, or any body with less than statewide jurisdiction when operating under the State authority. The following are not “governmental regulatory bodies”—

(1) Regulatory bodies whose decisions are not subject to judicial appeal; and

(2) Regulatory bodies which regulate a company owned by the same entity which creates the regulatory body.

Long-haul telecommunications means all general and special purpose long-distance telecommunications facilities and services (including commercial satellite services, terminal equipment and local circuitry supporting the long-haul service) to or from the post, camp, base, or station switch and/or main distribution frame (except for trunk lines to the first-serving commercial central office for local communications services).

Noncommon carrier means any entity other than a common carrier offering telecommunications facilities, services, or equipment for lease.

Securing, sensitive information, and telecommunications systems have the meaning given in the clause at 252.239-7016, Telecommunications Security Equipment, Devices, Techniques, and Services.

Telecommunications means the transmission, emission, or reception of signals, signs, writing, images, sounds, or intelligence of any nature, by wire, cable, satellite, fiber optics, laser, radio, or any other electronic, electric, electromagnetic, or acoustically coupled means.

Telecommunications services means the services acquired, whether by lease or contract, to meet the Government's telecommunications needs. The term includes the telecommunications facilities and equipment necessary to provide such services.

Sections it refers to

  • 252.239-7016 Telecommunications security equipment, devices, techniques, and services.

← 239.7400 Scope. · 239.7402 Policy. →

Rule changes for DFARS Part 239

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

DFARS 239.7401 Definitions · SpendQuery