Federal Communications Commission facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Federal Communications Commission

FCC
Official seal
Logo
Agency overview
Formed	June 19, 1934; 90 years ago (1934-06-19)
Preceding agency	Federal Radio Commission
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	45 L Street NE, Washington, D.C., U.S. 38°54′12″N 77°0′26″W / 38.90333°N 77.00722°W / 38.90333; -77.00722
Employees	1,482 (2020)
Annual budget	US$388 million (FY 2022, requested)
Agency executive	Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an important government agency in the United States. It's like a referee for all kinds of communication, making sure things run smoothly. The FCC oversees radio, television, phone lines, satellite, and cable services across the country.

This agency helps manage things like internet access, making sure there's fair competition among companies, and deciding how radio frequencies are used. They also look after media rules, public safety, and national security related to communication.

The FCC was created in 1934 by the Communications Act of 1934. It took over from an older agency that regulated radio. The FCC also started regulating wire communication, like telephones. The FCC's rules cover all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories. They also work with similar communication groups in other North American countries. The FCC gets its money from fees paid by companies it regulates. In 2022, its budget was about $388 million, and it had almost 1,500 employees in 2020.

What the FCC Does: Mission & Goals

The main job of the FCC, as set out in the Communications Act of 1934, is to make sure that all people in the United States can get fast, good, and affordable communication services. This includes wire and radio services, and it should be available to everyone without unfair treatment based on their background.

The law also says the FCC helps with "national defense" and "promoting safety of life and property" through communication. This means they help make sure emergency communications work when needed.

To achieve these goals, the FCC has four main plans:

• Closing the Digital Divide: Making sure everyone has access to the internet, no matter where they live.
• Promoting Innovation: Encouraging new technologies and services in communication.
• Protecting Consumers & Public Safety: Keeping people safe and making sure they are treated fairly by communication companies.
• Reforming the FCC's Processes: Making the FCC's own work more efficient and effective.

How the FCC is Organized

The Commissioners: FCC's Leaders

The FCC is led by five commissioners. The president of the United States chooses these leaders, and the United States Senate has to approve them. They usually serve for five years. One of the commissioners is chosen by the president to be the chairman. A rule says that no more than three commissioners can be from the same political party. Also, none of them can have a financial interest in any business that the FCC regulates.

Commissioners can keep working until a new person is appointed to replace them.

Bureaus: FCC's Working Teams

The FCC has seven main teams called "bureaus." Each bureau has a "chief" who is chosen by the chairman. These bureaus handle different tasks like:

• Reviewing applications for licenses.
• Looking into complaints from the public.
• Investigating issues.
• Creating and putting new rules into action.

Here are some of the key bureaus:

• The Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) creates rules to protect consumers, including making sure services are accessible for people with disabilities. They also answer questions and complaints from the public.
• The Enforcement Bureau (EB) makes sure that communication laws and FCC rules are followed. They work on protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, and ensuring public safety and homeland security.
• The Media Bureau (MB) handles rules and licenses for electronic media, like cable television, broadcast television, and radio stations in the U.S.
• The Space Bureau (SB) handles rules and licenses for communication that uses satellites and other space technologies. It also works with other government agencies on space policy. This bureau was created in April 2023.
• The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau manages wireless services, including mobile phones and public safety radio. They also run auctions for parts of the radio spectrum.
• The Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) focuses on policies for traditional phone line services. Their goal is to help wireline technology grow and encourage investment in it.
• The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau focuses on making sure important communication systems are ready for emergencies.

Offices: FCC's Support Teams

The FCC also has twelve staff offices that provide support to the bureaus. Here are a few examples:

• The Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) holds hearings when there are disagreements or issues that need to be decided by the FCC.
• The Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO) helps small businesses, especially those owned by minorities and women, find opportunities in telecommunications.
• The Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) gives advice on technical matters. They manage the electromagnetic spectrum, which is like organizing all the different radio frequencies so they don't interfere with each other.
• The Office of General Counsel is the main legal advisor for the FCC. They represent the FCC in court and help make legal decisions.
• The Office of International Affairs (OIA) handles the FCC's relationships with other countries and international communication groups.
• The Office of the Managing Director (OMD) handles the daily operations of the FCC, including its budget, staff, and security.

FCC Headquarters

Former Federal Communications Commission Office in Washington, D.C.

The FCC's main office is in the Sentinel Square III building in Washington, D.C.. Before 2020, it was in the Portals building. The FCC has moved a few times over the years to find the best space for its work.

History of the FCC

Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C., in 1937. Seated (l-r) Eugene Octave Sykes, Frank R. McNinch, Chairman Paul Atlee Walker. Standing (l-r) T.A.M. Craven, Thad H. Brown, Norman S. Case, and George Henry Payne.

FCC commissioners inspect the latest in television, December 1, 1939.

Communications Act of 1934

The FCC was created in 1934 when Congress passed the Communications Act of 1934. This law replaced an older agency that regulated radio and added the job of regulating telecommunications, which used to be handled by another group. The new law set up rules for both radio and telephone services.

The "Freeze" of 1948

FCC seal prior to 2020

After World War II, the FCC was assigning television stations to different cities. They realized that many stations were placed too close together, causing interference. Also, the first TV channels (2 through 13) were not enough for TV service across the whole country. So, in October 1948, the FCC stopped giving out new TV station licenses. This was called the "Freeze."

The Freeze was supposed to last only six months, but it went on for almost four years. During this time, the FCC worked on how to use new UHF technology and how to handle color television. In 1952, the FCC finally released a new plan for TV channels. This plan allowed new stations to start, but it also made some existing stations change channels. It also set aside some channels for educational television.

The "Sixth Report & Order" ended the Freeze. It took five years for the U.S. to go from 108 TV stations to over 550.

Telecommunications Act of 1996

In 1996, Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996. This law aimed to create more competition in phone services. It required large phone companies to let smaller companies use their networks. This law also removed limits on how many radio and TV stations one company could own across the country and in local areas.

After this law, many radio stations became owned by fewer, larger companies. People worried that this would reduce the variety of voices and local content on the radio.

Modernizing FCC's Technology

Starting in 2013, the FCC began to update its computer systems and technology. This was done to make the agency's work more efficient and modern.

New Space Bureau in 2023

In January 2023, the FCC decided to create a new Space Bureau and Office of International Affairs. These new groups replaced an older bureau. The goal was to improve how the FCC works with other government agencies and to better support the growing satellite and space communication industry. The Space Bureau officially started in April 2023.

FCC Commissioners Today

The FCC is currently led by five commissioners:

The first group of FCC commissioners in 1934 included seven members. Frieda B. Hennock was the first woman to become an FCC commissioner in 1948.

FCC's Media Rules

Radio and TV Broadcasting

The FCC sets rules for radio and TV stations. Stations need a license to broadcast, and they must renew it regularly. The FCC checks if stations are serving the "public interest." If a station doesn't follow the rules, the FCC can fine them or even take away their license.

Cable and Satellite TV

The FCC also has rules for cable and satellite television. These rules were first made in 1965 and have been updated several times, especially with the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Content Rules and Indecency

Broadcast TV and radio stations have rules about what content they can show, especially regarding indecency or obscenity. The Supreme Court has said that because radio spectrum is limited, the government can put some limits on content for broadcasters. Cable and satellite providers also have some content rules, but they are not as strict as for broadcast stations.

Over the years, the FCC's approach to content rules has changed. In the 1980s, some rules were removed. However, in the early 2000s, the FCC increased its focus on enforcing indecency rules, especially after events like the "wardrobe malfunction" during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show. In 2006, a new law increased the fines for violating decency standards to $325,000 per violation.

Media Ownership Rules

The FCC has rules about how many radio or TV stations one company can own across the country. They also have rules about owning a newspaper and a broadcast station in the same city. These rules are meant to make sure there are many different viewpoints in the media and that local communities are served well.

Diversity in Media

Many groups have raised concerns about how media ownership affects diversity, especially for minority communities. They worry that too much media ownership by a few companies can lead to less variety in staffing and programming. The FCC has an Office of Communications Business Opportunities that helps promote opportunities for small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses in telecommunications.

Localism in Media

The FCC also tries to make sure that local communities have their own radio and TV stations that serve their specific needs. For example, the FCC once encouraged small, low-power FM (LPFM) stations for colleges and schools. However, after the 1996 Telecommunications Act, some companies bought many stations, which sometimes meant less local programming.

Digital TV Transition

To help people switch to digital television (DTV), the FCC gave each analog TV station a second channel for DTV. Stations had to buy new equipment and broadcast on both analog and digital channels for years. On June 12, 2009, all full-power analog TV broadcasts in the U.S. ended. Now, TV is only available through digital channels. To help people, the government offered coupons for DTV converter boxes.

FCC's Wireline Rules (for Phones and Internet)

The FCC regulates phone services under a part of the Communications Act called Title II. This means that phone companies must offer their services to everyone and cannot treat customers unfairly based on who they are or what they are communicating.

Telephone Services

The FCC regulates phone services that cross state lines. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 tried to make the phone market more competitive.

From Monopoly to Competition

For many years, the FCC and states regulated the telephone system as a single company, AT&T. The FCC controlled AT&T's prices and rules to make sure everyone had fair access.

In the 1960s and 70s, the FCC started allowing other companies to offer phone services. In 1982, a lawsuit led to the breakup of AT&T into several smaller companies, called "Baby Bells." This change aimed to create more competition in the phone industry.

Internet Services

The FCC initially did not regulate internet services as strictly as phone services. However, a law from 1996 required the FCC to help make "advanced telecommunications capability" (like high-speed internet) available to everyone.

In 2015, the FCC decided to classify broadband internet access as a "telecommunications service." This change gave the FCC more power to regulate internet providers, especially to enforce "net neutrality" rules.

Net Neutrality

Net neutrality is the idea that internet service providers (ISPs) should treat all data on the internet equally. This means they shouldn't block or slow down certain websites or applications.

In 2005, the FCC set principles for an open internet:

• Users should be able to access any legal content they choose.
• Users should be able to use any legal applications or services they choose.
• Users should be able to connect any legal devices that don't harm the network.
• There should be competition among internet providers and content providers.

In 2008, the FCC ruled against Comcast for slowing down file-sharing software. This case showed the need for clear rules about net neutrality.

In 2010, the FCC made three main rules for the internet:

• Transparency: Internet providers must clearly explain their network practices and service terms.
• No blocking: Fixed internet providers cannot block legal content or applications. Mobile providers cannot block legal websites or apps that compete with their own services.
• No unreasonable discrimination: Internet providers cannot unfairly slow down or speed up certain content.

However, in 2014, a court ruled against the FCC's attempt to enforce these rules. This led to a big debate about how the internet should be regulated. In 2015, the FCC voted to reclassify internet service as a telecommunications service, giving it more power to enforce net neutrality.

In 2017, the FCC voted to repeal the 2015 net neutrality rules. This repeal officially took effect in June 2018.

NSA Wiretapping Concerns

In 2006, there were reports that some phone companies might have helped the National Security Agency (NSA) listen in on customer calls without permission. Members of Congress asked the FCC to investigate if this broke any laws. However, the FCC decided not to investigate, saying the program was secret. This decision was criticized by some lawmakers.

FCC's Wireless Rules

The FCC regulates almost all uses of radio frequencies in the United States. This includes broadcast TV and radio, mobile phones, amateur radio (ham radio), and many other wireless devices like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Mobile Phone Services

Mobile phone companies are regulated by the FCC under rules for both wireless and common carrier services.

Spectrum Auctions

Since 1994, the FCC has usually sold licenses for commercial radio spectrum through auctions. These auctions have raised billions of dollars for the U.S. government. The FCC often gets spectrum for auctions from other uses, like channels given back by TV broadcasters after the digital TV switch.

Unlicensed Spectrum

Normally, you need an FCC license to transmit radio signals. However, the FCC has also set aside some radio bands for "unlicensed" use. These are usually for low-power devices that work over short distances. This has allowed many common technologies to develop, like wireless garage door openers, cordless phones, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Even though they are "unlicensed," these devices still need technical approval from the FCC before they can be sold.

"White Spaces"

"White spaces" are radio frequencies that were left unused after analog TV signals switched to digital. In 2008, the FCC decided to open up these unused TV channels for unlicensed use. Companies like Google and Microsoft wanted to use these "white spaces" to create new Wi-Fi technologies. However, broadcasters and wireless microphone makers worried that this would cause interference with their signals. In November 2008, the FCC agreed to open up these channels for unlicensed use.

Amateur Radio (Ham Radio)

People who operate amateur radio (often called "ham radio") in the United States must have a license from the FCC before they can transmit. The FCC sets the standards for the written tests, but volunteer groups actually give the exams. Morse code is no longer required for amateur radio licenses.

Broadcasting Tower Database

The FCC has a database with information about the height and build year of broadcasting towers in the U.S. This database helps track these structures.

Public Involvement at the FCC

The FCC has always considered public interest important when making rules. This means that public involvement in communication policy has been a key part of its work. The FCC Record is a collection of the FCC's decisions and documents, published since 1986.

History of Public Input

Even before the FCC was created, the 1927 Radio Act said that the commission could hold hearings to better understand issues when making rules. It also said that if a license application was not approved, the applicant would get a hearing.

Public Hearings

Public hearings were held as early as 1927. At these hearings, not only broadcasters but also engineers, manufacturers, amateur radio operators, and even representatives of radio listeners shared their opinions. The goal was to hear a wide range of viewpoints. An FCC commissioner once said that "it is the radio listener we must consider above everyone else."

Over the years, public hearings continued to be held, though not always regularly. For example, the FCC held hearings in the 1940s to discuss whether newspaper companies should own radio stations. They also held hearings about television standards. In 1961, FCC chairman Newton Minow said the commission would hold "well advertised public hearing" in each community to ensure broadcasters were serving the public.

More recently, in September 2023, Commissioner Nathan Simington held a public forum on the tech news website, Hacker News, showing that the FCC still seeks public input.

See also

In Spanish: Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones para niños