As used in this article, the term:

(1) "Telegraph company" means every corporation, company, association, joint-stock association, partnership, and person, their lessees, trustees, or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever, owning, operating, or managing any telegraph line or part of a telegraph line used in the conduct of the business of affording for hire communication by telegraph within this state.

(2) "Telegraph line" means conduits, poles, wires, cables, crossarms, instruments, machines, appliances, instrumentalities, and all devices, including radio and other advancements of the art of telegraphy, real estate, easements, apparatus, property, and routes used and operated to facilitate the business of affording communication service by telegraph to the public for hire within this state.