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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent U.S. federal agency that administers and enforces communications laws within the authority Congress gives it. Created by the Communications Act of 1934, it has responsibilities involving communications by wire and radio, including radio, television, cable, satellite and related services. It is a regulator, not a phone, internet or television provider.
What does FCC stand for?
FCC stands for Federal Communications Commission. Congress established the agency in the Communications Act of 1934. Its legal framework is in Title 47 of the U.S. Code.
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At 47 U.S.C. § 151, the statute says the Commission “shall execute and enforce the provisions of this chapter.” The law frames its purpose around regulating interstate and foreign commerce in communication by wire and radio. Read 47 U.S.C. § 151.
What does the FCC do?
The FCC makes and administers rules for communications services when Congress has assigned it authority. Its functions include managing uses of radio spectrum, authorizing certain services or equipment, enforcing applicable rules, and carrying out consumer-protection responsibilities where the law and market conditions call for them. These duties vary by service and statute; the agency’s broad mission does not give it unlimited control over every communications-related issue. The FCC’s overview of its work summarizes these functions.
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What does the FCC regulate?
The agency’s portfolio spans several communications media. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s federal overview identifies radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The specific rules and the FCC’s authority depend on the service and the law governing it. See NTIA’s explanation of the FCC.
- Radio and spectrum: The FCC has spectrum-related responsibilities and regulates radio communications within its statutory authority.
- Television and cable: It administers applicable federal rules for these communications services.
- Wire and satellite communications: These fall within the agency’s broad communications remit, subject to the particular law and service involved.
This is a broad description, not a claim that the FCC regulates every aspect of the internet, all media content or every dispute involving a communications company.
How is the FCC governed?
Federal law provides for five commissioners, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The President designates one commissioner as chair. This describes the agency’s statutory structure, not how many seats are occupied at a given time. The structure is set out in 47 U.S.C. § 154.
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No. Some matters that appear communications-related are outside the FCC’s jurisdiction or are handled by other agencies. If you are considering a complaint, check the FCC’s current consumer complaint guidance to see whether it covers your issue and where to turn if it does not.
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For a particular license, device authorization, service or dispute, consult the current FCC guidance and the rule that applies to that situation. The agency’s general definition alone cannot establish whether it has authority over a specific case.
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