FCC Announces Award of Contract For Literature Review on Critical Information Needs of the American Public

The Federal Communications Commission entered into a contract with the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism to provide a literature review of research into the critical information needs of the American public and the barriers to participation in the communications industry that might limit the extent to which critical needs are met. The study is intended to inform the FCC’s 2012 report to Congress on barriers to participation, also known as the Section 257 Report. The work will be managed by the FCC’s Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO). The award was made after careful review of responses to a Request for Quotation involving a number of highly qualified applicants. USC assembled a broad coalition of over 30 academics to inform their work. (BO Docket No. 12-30)