Thought Leadership
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States government, created by Congressional statute and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the media, public safety and homeland security.
The FCC took
over the Wire Communication Regulation from the Interstate Commerce Commission.
The FCC's mandated jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia,
and U.S. possessions. However, the FCC also provides varied degrees of
cooperation, oversight, and leadership for similar communications bodies in
other countries of North America. It has 1,898 federal employees.
Mission and Objectives
It is the
FCC's mission to provide to all the people of the United States Nation-wide,
and world-wide wire and radio communication services with adequate facilities
at reasonable charges to the best of their capabilities. In addition, the FCC
ensures that there is no discrimination on the basis of on the basis of race,
color, religion, national origin, or sex,
Furthermore,
the act states that the FCC was created for the purpose of the national defense
and to promote safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio
communications. FCC has identified six goals in its 2006-2011 Strategic Plan
they are:
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, effective, redundant,
and rapidly restorable.