The Federal Communications Commission (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. The FCC is an independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress and is the United States' primary authority for communications law, regulation, and technological innovation.
In its work facing economic opportunities and challenges associated with rapidly evolving advances in global communications, the FCC capitalizes on its competencies in:
• Promoting competition, innovation and investment in broadband services and facilities
• Supporting the nation's economy by ensuring an appropriate competitive framework for the unfolding of the communications revolution
• Encouraging the highest and best use of spectrum domestically and internationally
• Revising media regulations so that new technologies flourish alongside diversity and localism
• Providing leadership in strengthening the defense of the nation's communications infrastructure,
rules, and rulemakings
The FCC's rules and regulations are located in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which are published and maintained by the Government Printing Office.
Most FCC rules are adopted by a process known as "notice and comment" rulemaking. Under that process, the FCC gives the public notice that it is considering adopting or modifying rules on a particular subject and seeks the public's comment. The Commission considers the comments received in developing final rules.
In Texas, as in all other states, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications across various platforms including radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. The FCC operates as an independent agency under the oversight of Congress and serves as the nation's chief authority for communications law, regulation, and technological innovation. The FCC's mandate in Texas includes promoting competition, innovation, and investment in broadband services; ensuring a competitive framework for communications; managing the use of spectrum; updating media regulations to support new technologies, diversity, and localism; and safeguarding the communications infrastructure. The FCC's rules are codified in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Rulemaking by the FCC typically follows a 'notice and comment' process, allowing for public input before finalizing any regulatory changes. This ensures that stakeholders in Texas and beyond have an opportunity to contribute to the shaping of communications policy.
