Federal Communications Commission
hideThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States government, created, directed, and empowered by Congressional statute (see 47 U.S.C. § 151 and 47 U.S.C. § 154), and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six strategic goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the media, public safety and homeland security, and modernizing the FCC.
The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 as the successor to the Federal Radio Commission and is charged with regulating all non-federal government use of the radio spectrum (including radio and television broadcasting), and all interstate telecommunications (wire, satellite and cable) as well as all international communications that originate or terminate in the United States. It is an important factor in U.S. telecommunication policy. The FCC took over 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. Due however to close geographic proximity to the United States, the FCC also provides varied degrees of cooperation, oversight, and leadership for similar communications bodies in other countries of North America. The FCC has a 2009 proposed budget of $466 million which is funded by $1 million in taxpayer appropriations and the rest in regulatory fees. It has 1,899 "Full Time Equivalent" federal employees.
On 14 November 2008, Barack Obama selected Susan P. Crawford and Kevin Werbach to lead the review of the FCC. The review team will review the commission to aid the new administration in its planning decisions. The team "will ensure that senior appointees have the information necessary to complete the confirmation process, lead their departments, and begin implementing signature policy initiatives immediately after they are sworn in."
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News tagged with federal communications commission
Google Voice service blocks fewer than 100 numbers
Oct 28, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Google Inc. says its free messaging and calling service, Google Voice, blocks calls to fewer than 100 phone numbers likely to be adult chat lines and free conference call services.
Google expands availability of its free voice mail
Oct 27, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Google Inc. wants to answer your mobile phone calls when you can't or just don't want to talk.
Six net neutrality principles proposed
Oct 26, 2009 |
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. voted last week to start a process to formulate rules that could force Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to uphold six principles that would preserve ...
FCC votes to begin crafting 'net neutrality' rules
Oct 22, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Federal regulators took an important step Thursday toward prohibiting broadband providers from favoring or discriminating against certain kinds of Internet traffic.
First White Spaces Network Brings Broadband Internet to Rural America
Oct 21, 2009 |
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For the first time in the U.S., unused TV broadcast channels freed up by the transition to digital TV are being used to wirelessly deliver high-speed Internet connectivity to business, education and community users. These ...
As Google, AT&T feud simmers, a partnership waits in the wings
Oct 20, 2009 |
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It's not often that phone sex lines and Benedictine nuns enter into debates on telecommunications industry regulation, but AT&T Inc. and Google Inc. are making it happen.
Top tech firms back open Internet in FCC letter
Oct 19, 2009 |
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Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Google, Twitter and other leading Web and technology companies expressed support Monday for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) efforts to ensure an open Internet.
Hurdles remain as FCC ponders Internet data rules
Oct 18, 2009 |
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(AP) -- With Democrats in charge in Washington, supporters of so-called "net neutrality" rules seem poised to finally push through requirements that high-speed Internet providers give equal treatment to all ...
Interoperability overdue for instant messaging
Oct 15, 2009 |
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You would think it was crazy if your cell phone could call only people with phones on the same network. But we put up with that absurd situation when it comes to instant messaging -- and have for years. Worse, there's little ...
FCC clears deep-sea fiber-optic cable linking Asia, California
Oct 09, 2009 |
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The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has given the green light for a trans-Pacific fiber-optic cable funded by an international consortium that includes Google. The new cable, expected to be carrying data traffic by ...
Mobile device makers want common earphone plugs
Oct 08, 2009 |
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An international trade group representing wireless device makers has announced it was backing a drive to standardize audio and USB plugs for laptops and other mobile gadgets.
FCC chairman warns of 'looming spectrum crisis' (Update)
Oct 08, 2009 |
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(AP) -- The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission warned Wednesday of "a looming spectrum crisis" if the government fails to find ways to come up with more bandwidth for mobile devices.
Net neutrality rules face mounting GOP opposition
Oct 05, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Republican opposition is mounting as federal regulators prepare to vote this month on so-called "network neutrality" rules, which would prohibit broadband providers from favoring or discriminating against certain ...
Get everyone in US online, high-level panel says
Oct 02, 2009 |
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(AP) -- The nation needs to give the same urgency to making sure all Americans have broadband access as the Eisenhower administration did in building an interstate highway system a half-century ago, a report ...
Sirius XM passing $2 royalty fees to subscribers
Sep 30, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Listeners of Sirius XM Radio Inc. are getting $2 fees added to their monthly satellite radio bills, in what's effectively a price increase for consumers.
