About the FCC
Public access television and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) are inherently linked by the nature of their business. As such, it might be worth taking a closer look at the structure of this independent United States government agency which was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC’s jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions. The mission and strategy of the commission can be outlined in the following six goals in its 2006-2011 Strategic Plan:
- Broadband: “All Americans should have affordable access to robust and reliable broadband products and services. Regulatory policies must promote technological neutrality, competition, investment, and innovation to ensure that broadband service providers have sufficient incentives to develop and offer such products and services.”
- Competition: “Competition in the provision of communication services, both domestically and overseas, supports the Nation’s economy. The competitive framework for communications services should foster innovation and offer consumers reliable, meaningful choice in affordable services.”
- Spectrum: “Efficient and effective use of non-federal spectrum domestically and internationally promotes the growth and rapid development of innovative and efficient communication technologies and services.”
- Media: “The Nation’s media regulations must promote competition and diversity and facilitate the transition to digital modes of delivery.”
- Public Safety and Homeland Security: “Communications during emergencies and crisis must be available for public safety, health, defense, and emergency personnel, as well as all consumers in need. The Nation’s critical communications infrastructure must be reliable, interoperable, redundant, and rapidly restorable.”
- Modernize the FCC: “The Commission shall strive to be highly productive, adaptive and innovative organization that maximizes the benefits to stakeholders, staff, and management from effective systems, processes, resources, and organizational culture.
Following are some of the commission’s bureaus and offices with responsibilities that include processing applications for licenses and other filings; analyzing complaints; conducting investigations; developing and implementing regulatory programs; and taking part in hearings. Our Offices provide support services. Even though the Bureaus and Offices have their individual functions, they regularly join forces and share expertise in addressing Commission issues. The Commission staff is organized by function. There are seven operating Bureaus and ten Staff Offices.
- Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau educates and informs consumers about telecommunications goods and services and engages their input to help guide the work of the Commission. CGB coordinates telecommunications policy efforts with industry and with other governmental agencies federal, tribal, state and local in serving the public interest.
- Enforcement Bureau enforces the Communications Act, as well as the Commission’s rules, orders and authorizations.
- International Bureau represents the Commission in satellite and international matters.
- Media Bureau regulates AM, FM radio and television broadcast stations, as well as cable television and satellite services.
- Wireless Telecommunications oversees cellular and PCS phones, pagers and two-way radios. This Bureau also regulates the use of radio spectrum to fulfill the communications needs of businesses, aircraft and ship operators, and individuals.
- Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau addresses public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency management and preparedness, disaster management, and other related issues.
- Wireline Competition Bureau responsible for rules and policies concerning telephone companies that provide interstate, and under certain circumstances intrastate, telecommunications services to the public through the use of wire-based transmission facilities (i.e., corded/cordless telephones).
- Office of Administrative Law Judges presides over hearings, and issues Initial Decisions.
- Office of Communications Business Opportunities provides advice to the Commission on issues and policies concerning opportunities for ownership by small, minority and women-owned communications businesses.
- Office of Engineering And Technology allocates spectrum for non-Government use and provides expert advice on technical issues before the Commission.
- Office of The General Counsel serves as chief legal advisor to the Commission’s various Bureaus and Offices.
- Office of Inspector General conducts and supervises audits and investigations relating to the operations of the Commission.
- Office of Legislative Affairs is the Commission’s main point of contact with Congress.
- Office of the Managing Director functions as a chief operating official serving under the direction and supervision of the Chairman.
- Office of Media Relations informs the news media of FCC decisions and serves as the Commission’s main point of contact with the media.
- Office of Strategic Planning & Policy Analysis works with the Chairman, Commissioners, Bureaus and Offices to develop strategic plans identifying policy objectives for the agency.
- Office of Work Place Diversity advises the Commission on all issues related to workforce diversity, affirmative recruitment and equal employment opportunity.