Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency, created, directed, and empowered by Congressional statute.

Regulatory powers

The Federal Communications Commission has one major regulatory weapon, revoking licenses, but short of that has little leverage over broadcast stations (see FCC MB Docket 04-232). It is reluctant to do this since it operates in a near vacuum of information on most of the tens of thousands of stations whose licenses are renewed every eight years (previously, every three years). Broadcast licenses are supposed to be renewed if the station meets the "public interest, convenience, or necessity." The Federal Communications Commission rarely checks except for some outstanding reason; burden of proof would be on the complainant. Fewer than 1% of station renewals are not immediately granted, and only a small fraction of those are actually denied.

Related Topics:
License - FCC MB Docket 04-232

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The Federal Communications Commission also licenses amateur radio operators and stations, and does use its power to fine hams who flagrantly violate its rules. It also licenses commercial operators who operate and repair certain radiotelephone, television, radar, and Morse code radio stations. In recent years it has also licensed people who maintain or operate GMDSS stations. While the FCC maintains control of the written and Morse testing standards, it no longer administers the exams, having delegated that function to private organizations.

Related Topics:
Amateur radio - Radiotelephone - Television - Radar - Morse code - GMDSS

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Note: Similar authority for regulation of U.S. Government telecommunications is vested in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

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Source: from Federal Standard 1037C

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See also: frequency assignment, open spectrum, British equivalent Ofcom, Mercedes Divide, FCC MB Docket 04-232

Related Topics:
Frequency assignment - Open spectrum - British equivalent - Ofcom - Mercedes Divide - FCC MB Docket 04-232

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