NAICS 51731 Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers

NAICS Code: 51731

Code Title: Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers

Code Sector: 51 - Information

NAICS 51731 Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers Description

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. 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 servicesCellular telephone servicesDirect-to-home satellite system (DTH) servicesSatellite television distribution systemsTelecommunications carriers, wiredVoIP service providers, using own operated wired telecommunications infrastructureWireless Internet service providers, except satelliteWireless telecommunications carriers, except satelliteWireless telephone communications carriers, except satellite

Cross References

Establishments primarily engaged in--
  • Producing and distributing a channel of television programming for cable or satellite television systems--are classified in Industry 51521, Cable and Other Subscription Programming;
  • Producing and distributing radio programs for cable or satellite radio systems--are classified in Industry 51511, Radio Broadcasting;
  • Reselling telecommunications services (except satellite telecommunications), without operating a network, and/or operating as mobile virtual network operations (MVNO)--are classified in Industry 51791, Other Telecommunications;
  • Operating and maintaining satellite networks and/or reselling satellite telecommunications services--are classified in Industry 51741, Satellite Telecommunications;
  • Providing Internet access services via client-supplied telecommunications connections (e.g., dial-up ISPs)--are classified in Industry 51791, Other Telecommunications;
  • Providing voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services via client-supplied telecommunications connections--are classified in Industry 51791, Other Telecommunications;
  • Providing limited Internet connectivity at locations known as Internet cafes, in combination with other services such as facsimile services, training, rental of on-site personal computers, game rooms, or food services--are classified in Industry 56143, Business Service Centers, or Subsector 722, Food Services and Drinking Places, depending on the primary activity; and
  • Operating coin-operated pay telephones--are classified in Industry 81299, All Other Personal Services.