The Federal Communications Commission: Current Structure and Its Role in the Changing Telecommunications Landscape

The Federal Communications Commission FCC is an independent Federal agency with its five members appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate. It was established by the Communications Act of 1934 1934 Act and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. The mission of the FCC is to ensure that the American people have available -- at reasonable cost and without discrimination -- rapid, efficient, nation- and world-wide communication services, whether by radio, television, wire, satellite, or cable. Although the FCC has restructured over the past few years to better reflect the industry, it is still required to adhere to the statutory requirements of its governing legislation, the Communications Act of 1934. The 1934 Act requires the FCC to regulate the various industry sectors differently. Some policy makers have been critical of the FCC and the manner in which it regulates various sectors of the telecommunications industry -- telephone, cable television, radio and television broadcasting, and some aspects of the Internet. These policy makers, including some in Congress, have long called for varying degrees and types of reform to the FCC. Most proposals fall into two categories 1 procedural changes made within the FCC or through Congressional action that would affect the agencys operations, or 2 substantive policy changes requiring Congressional action that would affect how the agency regulates different services and industry sectors. During the 111th Congress, policy makers may continue efforts begun in the 109th and 110th Congresses to restructure the FCC.