Title 11
Criminal Offenses

Chapter 35.1
Theft of Telecommunication Services

R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-35.1-1

§ 11-35.1-1. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter:

(1) “Manufacture of an unlawful telecommunications device” means to design, produce, assemble, duplicate, modify, alter, program or reprogram a telecommunication device that:

(i) Duplicates the identity of an authorized telecommunication service used for sale and distribution without the consent of the telecommunication service provider; or

(ii) Is capable of acquiring or facilitating the acquisition of telecommunication service without the consent of the telecommunication service provider.

(2) “Sell” means to transfer for consideration or agree to do so.

(3) “Telecommunication device” means any type of instrument, device, apparatus, machine or equipment which is designed to or is capable of transmitting or receiving telephonic, electronic, or radio communications or any part of an instrument, device, machine or equipment, or computer circuit, computer chip, electronic mechanism or any other component, which is capable of facilitating the transmission or reception of telephonic, electronic or radio communications.

(4) “Telecommunication service” means any service provided for a charge or compensation to facilitate the origination, transmission, emission or reception of signs, signals, data, writing, images and sounds or intelligence of any nature by telephone, including cellular or wireless telephones, wire, radio, television, video, optical or other electromagnetic system.

(5) “Telecommunication provider” means a person or entity providing telecommunication service including, but not limited to, a commercial mobile radio service 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” means any electronic serial number, mobile identification number, personal identification number of any telecommunication device that is manufactured, altered, modified, programmed or reprogrammed alone or in conjunction with another device or other equipment for the purpose of intentionally acquiring or facilitating the acquisition of a telecommunication service without the consent of the telecommunication service provider. These unlawful devices include, but are not limited to, tumbler phones, clone phones, tumbler microchips, clone microchips and other instruments capable of disguising their identity or location or of gaining access to a communications system operated by a telecommunication service provider.

History of Section.
P.L. 1997, ch. 181, § 1.