R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-19-1

“Community antenna television system” or “CATV” as used in this chapter shall mean and include the ownership or operation of a cable television system that receives video or audio signals, electrical impulses, or currents at a central antenna or electronic control center within this state and from which it distributes or transmits such signals, impulses, or currents by a cable or wire system to electronic equipment at a customer’s terminal point within this state.