Public utilities must serve indefinite public with essential services under non-discriminatory obligations

A public utility is defined as a business regularly supplying the public with essential commodities or services like electricity, gas, water, transportation, or telecommunications. The key characteristic is service to an indefinite public that has legal right to demand such services. There must be express or implied dedication to serve the public as a class, distinguishing it from private services. Public utilities may be publicly or privately owned, with privately owned utilities typically operating as virtual monopolies under special franchises, subject to obligations of non-discriminatory service to all applicants.

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