Wayne Leighton

This report presents a recommended plan for reforms at the Federal Communications Commission —encompassing organizational structures, authorities, and practices—to better incorporate economic analysis as well as data management as part of the agency’s regular operation. The centerpiece of this plan is a new Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA), with delegated authority designed to better integrate economic analysis into the FCC’s decision-making. The plan also identifies a set of new practices intended to make such integration common across the agency.

On January 17, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis released a paper, “Improving the Nation’s Digital Infrastructure”. By this Order, the Office now sets aside and rescinds the Digital Infrastructure Paper, and any and all guidance, determinations, recommendations, and conclusions contained therein. The Digital Infrastructure Paper will have no legal or other effect or meaning going forward.