common carrier

common carrier

[¦käm·ən ′kar·ē·ər]

(industrial engineering)

A company recognized by an appropriate regulatory agency as having a vested interest in furnishing communications services or in transporting commodities or people.

common carrier

(communications, company)

(Or "phone company") A private company that offers telecommunications services to the public.

common carrier

A U.S. government-regulated organization that provides telecommunications services for public use, such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and Western Union. The term also refers to transportation companies such as FedEx, UPS, the airlines and railroads. Contrast with private carrier.