Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States government. The FCC is responsible for the regulation of U.S. interstate and foreign communication by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. The agency develops, implements, and enforces a wide variety of federal rules and standards. It seeks to promote the fair, safe, and efficient operation of the nation’s communications systems. The FCC was established in 1934.
The FCC performs several main functions. They include allocating bands of frequencies for different types of radio and television operations; issuing licenses to stations and operators of stations; and monitoring broadcasts to detect unlicensed operations and technical violations. The FCC also approves or disapproves certain rate increases for telephone and cable TV systems, and enforces broadcasting standards relating to obscenity and indecency. AM and FM radio, television broadcast services, telephone systems, and broadband, satellite, and wireless telecommunications systems all use transmitters licensed by the FCC.
The FCC has five commissioners. The president, with Senate approval, appoints them for five-year terms. The president selects one of the commissioners to serve as chairperson.
See also Monitoring station; Radio (Government regulation of radio); Television (Regulating U.S. television).
