what is the fcc

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the United States. The FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. It is the federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing America’s communications law and regulations. The FCCs mission, specified in Section One of the Communications Act of 1934 and amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, is to "make available so far as possible, to all the people of the United States, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, rapid, efficient, nationwide, and world-wide wire and radio communication services with adequate facilities at reasonable charges". The FCC is organized into bureaus and offices, based on function, and staff members regularly share expertise to cooperatively fulfill responsibilities such as developing and implementing regulatory programs, processing applications for licenses and other filings, encouraging the development of innovative services, conducting investigations and analyzing complaints, and promoting public safety and homeland security.