+ BY: Falynn Elizabeth Lannert AP American Government 1 st Hour

+ When was it created.. How was it created? June 19, 1934 Established by the Communications Act of 1934 First major overhaul of telecommunications law in almost 62 years Goal of this new law is to let anyone enter any communications business -- to let any communications business compete in any market against any other. FCC is.. Regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable

+ Which branch of the government has authority over this agency/ commission? ….. Because? The President designates one of the Commissioners to serve as Chairperson Only three Commissioners may be members of the same political party. None of them can have a financial interest in any Commission-related business. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, the Chairman delegates management and administrative responsibility to the Managing Director. The Commissioners supervise all FCC activities, delegating responsibilities to staff units and Bureaus.

+ Mission of Agency/Commission What is the current purpose of the Agency/Commission? Organized by function Seven operating Bureaus and ten Staff Offices Consumer & Governmental Affairs (CGA) Enforcement Bureau (EB) International Bureau (IB) Media Bureau (MB) Wireless Telecommunications Services (WCS) Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau FCC's Offices provide support services to the Bureaus. Though the Bureaus and Offices have their individual functions, they regularly work together on FCC issues. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competitions. The spectrum, the media, public safety, homeland security, and modernizing the FCC

+ The Bureaus’ responsibilities include: Processing applications for licenses and other filings Analyzing complain Conducting investigations Developing and implementing regulatory programs taking part in hearings Offices provide support services and they regularly join forces and share expertise in addressing Commission issues. The FCC's mandated jurisdiction covers the 50 states FCC was created "for the purpose of the national defense" and "for the purpose of promoting safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio communications.”

+ What recent action has this agency/commission taken? FCC Proposes Modernizing and Streamlining Universal Service and Intercarrier Compensation. - Proposed to modernize and streamline its universal service and intercarrier compensation policies to bring affordable wired and wireless broadband – and the jobs and investment they spur – to all Americans while combating waste and inefficiency. FCC’s primary tools for meeting the great infrastructure challenge of our time – bringing robust affordable broadband to all Americans – are locked in the last century

+ The Universal Service Fund (USF), which helped connect rural America to telephone service, fails to effectively and efficiently target support for broadband in rural areas. Providing little or no support in other communities that lack broadband.

+ Is this agency an example of unnecessary bureaucratic red tape or is it a necessary staple for our democracy? Why? Definitely a Necessary Staple for economy Future is holding strong Must have in our government Communications is something we deal with every day Without the FCC decisions dealing with communications would just be tossed around Wouldn’t be paid much attention Good how it is, shouldn’t be altered