Federal Communications Commission: Difference between revisions

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{{CompanyInfo|

| logo = Fcclogo.gif

| type =

| industry = Government

| founded = 1934

| founders =

| ownership =

| headquarters = 445 12th Street SW,<br/>Washington, DC 20554

| country = USA

| businesses =

| products =

| employees =

| revenue =

| website =

| blog =

| facebook = [http://www.facebook.com/pages/FCC/105910619449332?sk=wiki FCC Facebook]

| linkedin =

| twitter = fcc

| keypeople = [[Robert McDowell]], Commissioner

}}

'''FCC''' is the abbreviation for '''Federal Communications Commission'''. It is an independent government agency of the United States established under the Communications Act of 1934. The FCC has been given the responsibility to monitor the interstate and international communications which include television radio, satellite, wire and cable. The jurisdiction of FCC includes all ~~the~~ 50 states including the District of Columbia ~~and~~ areas~~, which are~~ under ~~the~~ possession ~~of US~~.<ref ~~name="fcc_gov"~~>[http://www.fcc.gov/aboutus.html fcc.gov/aboutus]</ref>

'''FCC''' is the abbreviation for '''Federal Communications Commission'''. It is an independent government agency of the United States established under the Communications Act of 1934. The FCC has been given the responsibility to monitor the interstate and international communications which include television radio, satellite, wire and cable. The jurisdiction of the FCC includes all 50 states, including the District of Columbia, as well as areas under US possession.<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/aboutus.html fcc.gov/aboutus]</ref>

The FCC Commissioner, [[Robert McDowell]], has come out in support of the multi-stakeholder model of ICANN and current Internet governance, and has warned against governments being given ultimate control over the Internet.<ref>[http://techland.time.com/2012/02/13/the-case-against-letting-the-united-nations-govern-the-internet/ The Case Against Letting the United Nations Govern the Internet, Techland.time.com]</ref> An op-ed, published in February, 2012, in the Wall Street Journal, in which he takes a hard-line and oppositional view to current efforts to hand over Internet governance to the U.N. or its [[ITU]] can be read [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204792404577229074023195322.html?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_opinion here]. He stepped up his rhetoric later that month, claiming that giving ICANN's authority to the U.N. or its ITU would not only jeopardize a free and open Internet with limited bureaucratic involvement, but that it could undermine the Internet's overall functionality.<ref>[http://www.readwriteweb.com/mobile/2012/02/fcc-commissioner-ending-icann.php FCC Commissioner Ending ICANN, ReadWriteWeb.com]</ref>

On December 2nd, 2012, Julius Genachowski of the FCC, [[Larry Strickling|Lawrence E. Strickling]] of [[NTIA]], and Phillip L. Verveer of the State Department issued a statement supporting ICANN: "The Internet’s decentralized, multistakeholder processes enable us all to benefit from the engagement of all interested parties. By encouraging the participation of industry, civil society, technical and academic experts, and governments from around the globe, multistakeholder processes result in broader and more creative problem solving. This is essential when dealing with the Internet, which thrives through the cooperation of many different parties... Our commitment to the multistakeholder model is based on the fact that transparency, inclusion and participation are the 21st century standards governing discussions related to modern communications. This is a view shared by many around the world and was most recently reiterated by a statement of civil society members and groups from around the world who participated in the “Best Bits” pre-[[IGF|Internet Governance Forum]] (IGF) meeting held earlier this month in Baku, Azerbaijan. The U.S. Government wishes to lend its support to the spirit of the recommendations contained in the statement."<ref>[http://www.thedomains.com/2012/12/02/on-eve-of-start-of-the-itu-meeting-in-dubai-the-us-makes-issues-a-statement-in-support-of-icann/ On Eve Of Start of The ITU Meeting In Dubai, The US Makes Issues A Statement In Support of ICANN], TheDomains.com. Published 2 December 2012.</ref>

== History ==

The ~~United States Federal Communications Commission~~ was created by an act of Congress passed on 19 June 1934. It was created during US President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ‘The New Deal’ era and was granted a large latitude to establish a fast, ~~Nation-wide~~, and ~~world-wide~~ wire and radio communication service. The main motive behind formation of the FCC was to merge the administrative responsibilities of regulating broadcasting and wired communications into one single agency. ~~The actual working~~ of FCC started on 11 July 1934 when seven commissioners and 233 federal employees started the task of merging procedures and rules from several governmental agencies such as the Interstate Commerce Commission, Federal Radio Commission and the Postmaster General into a single agency. Today, the FCC employs approximately 1900 people and has comprehensive responsibilities in various fields of communication technologies such as microwave, satellite and private radio communications. <ref>[http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=federalcommu The Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC)]</ref>

The FCC was created by an act of Congress passed on 19 June 1934. It was created during US President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ‘The New Deal’ era and was granted a large latitude to establish a fast, nationwide, and worldwide wire and radio communication service. The main motive behind formation of the FCC was to merge the administrative responsibilities of regulating broadcasting and wired communications into one single agency. Operation of the FCC started on 11 July 1934 when seven commissioners and 233 federal employees started the task of merging procedures and rules from several governmental agencies such as the Interstate Commerce Commission, Federal Radio Commission and the Postmaster General into a single agency. Today, the FCC employs approximately 1900 people and has comprehensive responsibilities in various fields of communication technologies such as microwave, satellite and private radio communications. <ref>[http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=federalcommu The Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC)]</ref>

== Organization ==

The FCC is governed by five Commissioners. These commissioners are appointed directly by the President and are ratified by the Senate. These commissioners are mostly appointed for 5-year terms unless there is a filling of an unexpired term. The President also elects the Chairperson of the FCC from one of these commissioners. The Chairperson is also known as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission and is responsible in delegating administrative and management responsibilities to the Managing Director of the Commission. All the five Commissioners are assigned with the task of supervising all the activities of the FCC, which also include delegating responsibilities to the various staff units and Bureaus of FCC.<ref ~~name="fcc_gov"~~>[http://www.fcc.gov/aboutus.html fcc.gov/aboutus]</ref>

The FCC is governed by five Commissioners. These commissioners are appointed directly by the President and are ratified by the Senate. These commissioners are mostly appointed for 5-year terms unless there is a filling of an unexpired term. The President also elects the Chairperson of the FCC from one of these commissioners. The Chairperson is also known as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission and is responsible in delegating administrative and management responsibilities to the Managing Director of the Commission. All the five Commissioners are assigned with the task of supervising all the activities of the FCC, which also include delegating responsibilities to the various staff units and Bureaus of FCC.<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/aboutus.html fcc.gov/aboutus]</ref>

== Functions ==

~~As mentioned earlier, the~~ main role of FCC is to regulate the various mediums of ~~communications~~. ~~Apart from these~~, the FCC also carries out ~~various~~ functions ~~which mainly include<ref>[http://voip.about.com/od/legalissues/p/TheFCC.htm fcc.gov/aboutus]</ref>~~:

The main role of FCC is to regulate the various mediums of communication. Additionally, the FCC also carries out other assorted functions, including:

* Enforcing and maintaining laws related to Communications, such as the Communications Act.

* Enforcing and maintaining ~~the~~ laws related to Communications such as the Communications Act

* Advise the US commission on various issues related to communication businesses.

* Advise the US commission on various issues related to communication businesses

* Represent the US commission in various international matters pertaining to communications and satellite.

* Represent the US commission in various international matters pertaining to communications and satellite

* Frame policies concerning the communication businesses.

* Frame policies concerning the communication businesses

* Preside over the legal matters pertaining to communication.

* Preside over the legal matters pertaining to communication

* Frame policies related to the functioning of telephone companies and [[VoIP]] service providers.<ref>[http://voip.about.com/od/legalissues/p/TheFCC.htm fcc.gov/aboutus]</ref>

* Frame policies related to the functioning of telephone companies and ~~also of the Voice over Internet Protocol (~~VoIP) service providers

== Strategic plan (2009-2014) ==

The strategic plan of FCC for 2009-2014 mainly ~~focuses~~ on making communication services accessible to general public. It is ~~mostly designed~~ towards providing communications products and services to consumers and businesses on a timely basis and at reasonable costs.<ref ~~name="fcc_strategic_plan"~~>[http://www.fcc.gov/omd/strategicplan FCC strategic plan]</ref>

The strategic plan of FCC for 2009-2014 focuses mainly on making communication services accessible to the general public. It is aimed towards providing communications products and services to consumers and businesses on a timely basis and at reasonable costs.<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/omd/strategicplan FCC strategic plan]</ref>

== Strategic goals ==

Some of the strategic goals of FCC include ~~the following~~<ref ~~name="fcc_strategic_plan"~~>[http://www.fcc.gov/omd/strategicplan ~~FCC strategic~~ plan]</ref>:

FCC has set some strategic goals, which it seeks to achieve in various sectors. Some of the strategic goals set by FCC include:<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/omd/strategicplan/ Strategic plan]</ref>

# '''Broadband:''' All Americans should have easy access to reliable and robust broadband products and services at affordable rates. The FCC wants to frame policies in such a way that they help promote competition, technological neutrality, and investment so that broadband service providers are able to develop affordable products and services.

* Promotion of ~~competition in~~ the ~~nation’s~~ media regulations and ensure diversity in ~~its functioning by providing necessary support in brining out a transition towards~~ digital modes of delivery.

# '''Spectrum:''' Spectrum is a band of electromagnetic frequencies used for communication of sound, video and data.<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/spectrum/ fcc.gov]spectrum</ref> The FCC wants to ensure that the non-federal spectrum is being used effectively and efficiently domestically as well internationally. It also wants to promote growth and proper deployment of efficient and sophisticated communication technologies.

* Provide access to ~~broadband products or~~ services ~~at an affordable rate to all Americans.~~

# '''Media:''' The FCC also wants to create some strategic media regulations, which will increase competition and ensure diversity in the media. It also wants to facilitate the digital modes of delivery in the media.

* Effective use of non-federal spectrum both ~~domestically~~ as well as internationally

# '''Competition:''' The FCC also wants to ensure that there is adequate competition in the provision of communications services, both nationally as well as internationally, so that it supports the nation’s economy. The FCC wants to foster a competitive framework for communications services so that it encourages innovation and provides American consumers with meaningful, reliable and affordable communications services.

* Provide communications ~~facilities at~~ the times of crises and ~~emergencies~~ to ~~ensure public safety~~

# '''Public Safety and Homeland Security:''' The FCC also wants to make sure that Americans have easy access to all communications, even in the times of emergencies and crises, so that there is adequate public safety, defense, health and reliable infrastructure as and when required by the people of America. The FCC wants to make the communications infrastructure of America highly reliable, redundant, interoperable and rapidly restorable.

* Modernize the FCC and ~~make it an innovative~~ organization

# '''Modernize the FCC:''' The FCC works towards making itself a highly innovative, adaptive and productive organization whose main focus would be on providing huge benefits from effective systems to its staff, stakeholders, processes, organizational culture, processes and management.

== References ==

~~{{Reflist}}~~

[[Category:Government Agencies]]

__NOTOC__

~~[[Category:Glossary]]~~

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[Image:UnderConstruction.png]]
+{{CompanyInfo|
+| logo            = Fcclogo.gif
+| type            =
+| industry        = Government
+| founded         = 1934
+| founders        =
+| ownership       =
+| headquarters    = 445 12th Street SW,<br/>Washington, DC 20554
+| country         = USA
+| businesses      =
+| products        =
+| employees       =
+| revenue         =
+| website         =
+| blog            =
+| facebook        = [http://www.facebook.com/pages/FCC/105910619449332?sk=wiki FCC Facebook]
+| linkedin        =
+| twitter         = fcc
+| keypeople       = [[Robert McDowell]], Commissioner
+}}
-'''FCC''' is the abbreviation for '''Federal Communications Commission'''. It is an independent government agency of the United States established under the Communications Act of 1934. The FCC has been given the responsibility to monitor the interstate and international communications which include television radio, satellite, wire and cable. The jurisdiction of FCC includes all the 50 states including the District of Columbia and areas, which are under the possession of US.<ref name="fcc_gov">[http://www.fcc.gov/aboutus.html fcc.gov/aboutus]</ref>
+'''FCC''' is the abbreviation for '''Federal Communications Commission'''. It is an independent government agency of the United States established under the Communications Act of 1934. The FCC has been given the responsibility to monitor the interstate and international communications which include television radio, satellite, wire and cable. The jurisdiction of the FCC includes all 50 states, including the District of Columbia, as well as areas under US possession.<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/aboutus.html fcc.gov/aboutus]</ref>
+The FCC Commissioner, [[Robert McDowell]], has come out in support of the multi-stakeholder model of ICANN and current Internet governance, and has warned against governments being given ultimate control over the Internet.<ref>[http://techland.time.com/2012/02/13/the-case-against-letting-the-united-nations-govern-the-internet/ The Case Against Letting the United Nations Govern the Internet, Techland.time.com]</ref> An op-ed, published in February, 2012, in the Wall Street Journal, in which he takes a hard-line and oppositional view to current efforts to hand over Internet governance to the U.N. or its [[ITU]] can be read [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204792404577229074023195322.html?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_opinion here]. He stepped up his rhetoric later that month, claiming that giving ICANN's authority to the U.N. or its ITU would not only jeopardize a free and open Internet with limited bureaucratic involvement, but that it could undermine the Internet's overall functionality.<ref>[http://www.readwriteweb.com/mobile/2012/02/fcc-commissioner-ending-icann.php FCC Commissioner Ending ICANN, ReadWriteWeb.com]</ref>
+On December 2nd, 2012, Julius Genachowski of the FCC, [[Larry Strickling|Lawrence E. Strickling]] of [[NTIA]], and Phillip L. Verveer of the State Department issued a statement supporting ICANN: "The Internet’s decentralized, multistakeholder processes enable us all to benefit from the  engagement of all interested parties. By encouraging the participation of industry, civil society, technical and academic experts, and governments from around the globe, multistakeholder processes result in broader and more creative problem solving.  This is essential when dealing with the Internet, which thrives through the cooperation of many different parties... Our commitment to the multistakeholder model is based on the fact that transparency, inclusion and participation are the 21st century standards governing discussions related to modern communications.  This is a view shared by many around the world and was most recently reiterated by a statement of civil society members and groups from around the world who participated in the “Best Bits” pre-[[IGF|Internet Governance Forum]] (IGF) meeting held earlier this month in Baku, Azerbaijan.  The U.S. Government wishes to lend its support to the spirit of the recommendations contained in the statement."<ref>[http://www.thedomains.com/2012/12/02/on-eve-of-start-of-the-itu-meeting-in-dubai-the-us-makes-issues-a-statement-in-support-of-icann/ On Eve Of Start of The ITU Meeting In Dubai, The US Makes Issues A Statement In Support of ICANN], TheDomains.com. Published 2 December 2012.</ref>
 == History ==
-The United States Federal Communications Commission was created by an act of Congress passed on 19 June 1934. It was created during US President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ‘The New Deal’ era and was granted a large latitude to establish a fast, Nation-wide, and world-wide wire and radio communication service. The main motive behind formation of the FCC was to merge the administrative responsibilities of regulating broadcasting and wired communications into one single agency. The actual working of FCC started on 11 July 1934 when seven commissioners and 233 federal employees started the task of merging procedures and rules from several governmental agencies such as the Interstate Commerce Commission, Federal Radio Commission and the Postmaster General into a single agency. Today, the FCC employs approximately 1900 people and has comprehensive responsibilities in various fields of communication technologies such as microwave, satellite and private radio communications. <ref>[http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=federalcommu The Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC)]</ref>
+The FCC was created by an act of Congress passed on 19 June 1934. It was created during US President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ‘The New Deal’ era and was granted a large latitude to establish a fast, nationwide, and worldwide wire and radio communication service. The main motive behind formation of the FCC was to merge the administrative responsibilities of regulating broadcasting and wired communications into one single agency. Operation of the FCC started on 11 July 1934 when seven commissioners and 233 federal employees started the task of merging procedures and rules from several governmental agencies such as the Interstate Commerce Commission, Federal Radio Commission and the Postmaster General into a single agency. Today, the FCC employs approximately 1900 people and has comprehensive responsibilities in various fields of communication technologies such as microwave, satellite and private radio communications. <ref>[http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=federalcommu The Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC)]</ref>
 == Organization ==
-The FCC is governed by five Commissioners. These commissioners are appointed directly by the President and are ratified by the Senate. These commissioners are mostly appointed for 5-year terms unless there is a filling of an unexpired term. The President also elects the Chairperson of the FCC from one of these commissioners. The Chairperson is also known as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission and is responsible in delegating administrative and management responsibilities to the Managing Director of the Commission. All the five Commissioners are assigned with the task of supervising all the activities of the FCC, which also include delegating responsibilities to the various staff units and Bureaus of FCC.<ref name="fcc_gov">[http://www.fcc.gov/aboutus.html fcc.gov/aboutus]</ref>
+The FCC is governed by five Commissioners. These commissioners are appointed directly by the President and are ratified by the Senate. These commissioners are mostly appointed for 5-year terms unless there is a filling of an unexpired term. The President also elects the Chairperson of the FCC from one of these commissioners. The Chairperson is also known as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission and is responsible in delegating administrative and management responsibilities to the Managing Director of the Commission. All the five Commissioners are assigned with the task of supervising all the activities of the FCC, which also include delegating responsibilities to the various staff units and Bureaus of FCC.<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/aboutus.html fcc.gov/aboutus]</ref>
 == Functions ==
-As mentioned earlier, the main role of FCC is to regulate the various mediums of communications. Apart from these, the FCC also carries out various functions which mainly include<ref>[http://voip.about.com/od/legalissues/p/TheFCC.htm fcc.gov/aboutus]</ref>:
+The main role of FCC is to regulate the various mediums of communication. Additionally, the FCC also carries out other assorted functions, including:
+* Enforcing and maintaining laws related to Communications, such as the Communications Act.
-* Enforcing and maintaining the laws related to Communications such as the Communications Act
+* Advise the US commission on various issues related to communication businesses.
-* Advise the US commission on various issues related to communication businesses
+* Represent the US commission in various international matters pertaining to communications and satellite.
-* Represent the US commission in various international matters pertaining to communications and satellite
+* Frame policies concerning the communication businesses.
-* Frame policies concerning the communication businesses
+* Preside over the legal matters pertaining to communication.
-* Preside over the legal matters pertaining to communication
+* Frame policies related to the functioning of telephone companies and [[VoIP]] service providers.<ref>[http://voip.about.com/od/legalissues/p/TheFCC.htm fcc.gov/aboutus]</ref>
-* Frame policies related to the functioning of telephone companies and also of the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers
 == Strategic plan (2009-2014) ==
-The strategic plan of FCC for 2009-2014 mainly focuses on making communication services accessible to general public. It is mostly designed towards providing communications products and services to consumers and businesses on a timely basis and at reasonable costs.<ref name="fcc_strategic_plan">[http://www.fcc.gov/omd/strategicplan FCC strategic plan]</ref>
+The strategic plan of FCC for 2009-2014 focuses mainly on making communication services accessible to the general public. It is aimed towards providing communications products and services to consumers and businesses on a timely basis and at reasonable costs.<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/omd/strategicplan FCC strategic plan]</ref>
 == Strategic goals ==
-Some of the strategic goals of FCC include the following<ref name="fcc_strategic_plan">[http://www.fcc.gov/omd/strategicplan FCC strategic plan]</ref>:
+FCC has set some strategic goals, which it seeks to achieve in various sectors. Some of the strategic goals set by FCC include:<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/omd/strategicplan/ Strategic plan]</ref>
+# '''Broadband:''' All Americans should have easy access to reliable and robust broadband products and services at affordable rates. The FCC wants to frame policies in such a way that they help promote competition, technological neutrality, and investment so that broadband service providers are able to develop affordable products and services.
-* Promotion of competition in the nation’s media regulations and ensure diversity in its functioning by providing necessary support in brining out a transition towards digital modes of delivery.
+# '''Spectrum:''' Spectrum is a band of electromagnetic frequencies used for communication of sound, video and data.<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/spectrum/ fcc.gov]spectrum</ref> The FCC wants to ensure that the non-federal spectrum is being used effectively and efficiently domestically as well internationally. It also wants to promote growth and proper deployment of efficient and sophisticated communication technologies.
-* Provide access to broadband products or services at an affordable rate to all Americans.
+# '''Media:''' The FCC also wants to create some strategic media regulations, which will increase competition and ensure diversity in the media. It also wants to facilitate the digital modes of delivery in the media.
-* Effective use of non-federal spectrum both domestically as well as internationally
+# '''Competition:''' The FCC also wants to ensure that there is adequate competition in the provision of communications services, both nationally as well as internationally, so that it supports the nation’s economy. The FCC wants to foster a competitive framework for communications services so that it encourages innovation and provides American consumers with meaningful, reliable and affordable communications services.
-* Provide communications facilities at the times of crises and emergencies to ensure public safety
+# '''Public Safety and Homeland Security:''' The FCC also wants to make sure that Americans have easy access to all communications, even in the times of emergencies and crises, so that there is adequate public safety, defense, health and reliable infrastructure as and when required by the people of America. The FCC wants to make the communications infrastructure of America highly reliable, redundant, interoperable and rapidly restorable.
-* Modernize the FCC and make it an innovative organization
+# '''Modernize the FCC:''' The FCC works towards making itself a highly innovative, adaptive and productive organization whose main focus would be on providing huge benefits from effective systems to its staff, stakeholders, processes, organizational culture, processes and management.
 == References ==
+{{Reflist}}
-{{Reflist}}
+[[Category:Government Agencies]]
 __NOTOC__
-[[Category:Glossary]]