What the FCC Promises to Do

WHAT THE FCC PROMISES TO DO -- BROADBAND
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
What does the FCC promise to do with funds from the proposed budget?

1) Promote the availability of broadband to all Americans.
How? Support and facilitate the development and deployment of broadband services across multiple platforms. Support and defend the adoption of policies and regulations to increase the availability of unlicensed and licensed terrestrial wireless broadband devices and licensed satellite broadband devices. Work in partnership with state, local, and tribal governments, consumer groups and industry to promote broadband availability to all Americans, including consumers in rural and high cost areas. Measure and report on the number of consumers that have adopted various broadband technologies. Measure and report on the number and category of consumer inquiries and complaints received regarding broadband availability and deployment.

2) Define broadband to include any platform capable of transmitting high-bandwidth intensive services, applications, and content.
How? Continue to evaluate and refine, as necessary, what constitutes broadband to ensure that it encompasses future, next-generation offerings that may not be in use today.

3) Ensure harmonized regulatory treatment of competing broadband services.
How? Support and encourage policies and regulations to ensure harmonized regulatory treatment among broadband technologies, platforms and service providers. Support and address regulatory requirements that affect broadband service providers, including universal service, 911 and E911, the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), and consumer protection.

4) Encourage and facilitate an environment that stimulates investment and innovation in broadband technologies and services.
How? Employ appropriate strategies (including deregulation, forbearance, and waiver of regulatory requirements) to encourage new entrants and providers of nascent technologies to participate in broadband markets. Vigorously enforce and defend against legal challenge policies and regulations that promote the deployment and adoption of all broadband technologies. Maintain efficient licensing and facilities siting processes to encourage and facilitate rapid deployment of broadband infrastructure.
http://www.fcc.gov/Reports/fcc2008budget_complete.pdf

WHAT THE FCC PROMISES TO DO -- MEDIA
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
What does the FCC promise to do with funds from the proposed budget? In FY 2008, the FCC will review media regulation to foster competition and diversity, and continue its management of the Digital TV transition process, pursuant to which over-the-air broadcasters will convert to digital transmission and relinquish their current channels, which can then be reallocated to commercial and public safety uses. To support this goal and facilitate the Digital TV transition, the FCC is seeking additional resources to develop a consumer outreach campaign to help educate the public about the impact and benefits of Digital TV.

1) Reevaluate media ownership rules in light of a changing marketplace and judicial review.
How? Support the development of and defend against legal challenge to broadcast ownership rules that comply with judicial directives and statutory requirements.

2) Facilitate the transition to digital television and further the transition to digital radio.
How? Adopt the final DTV Table of Allotments. Conduct outreach campaign to educate and inform consumers about the transition to digital television (DTV). Continue to negotiate and implement agreements with Canada and Mexico for the deployment of digital services in border regions. Maintain dialogue with policy makers, regulators, research communities, and industry on emerging technologies and services in the media marketplace. Adopt, enforce and defend against legal challenge policies and regulations to facilitate the transition to DTV and Digital Radio.

3) Enforce compliance with media rules.
How? Timely resolve and defend against legal challenge adjudicatory proceedings involving cable television, broadcast television and radio, and satellite services. Balance the protection of children and freedom of speech through firm and fair action on indecency, including enforcing and defending the Commission’s indecency-related actions in litigation. Timely resolve cross-border interference issues with Canada and Mexico. Participate in international organizations such as ITU, CITEL, APEC and OECD to establish procompetitive regulatory frameworks for the advancement and deployment of new media technologies.
http://www.fcc.gov/Reports/fcc2008budget_complete.pdf