Federal Communications Commission: Difference between revisions

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The [[wikipedia:Federal_Communications_Commission|'''Federal Communications Commission (FCC)''']] is a governmental regulatory agency tasked with ensuring a competitive and fair market for radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable communications within the United States of America and its territories.<ref>[https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/what-we-do What We Do] | Federal Communications Commission</ref> The commission is currently chaired by [[wikipedia:Brendan_Carr_(lawyer)|Brendan Carr]], who is expected to shift the FCC’s focus on several key communication policy areas such as [[net neutrality]], broadband regulation, digital equity, market competition, infrastructure funding, online content moderation, and regulatory treatment for similar communications services.<ref>[https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2025/01/expectations-for-a-chairman-carr-led-federal Expectations for a Chairman Carr Led Federal Communications Commission] | Insights | Venable LLP</ref>

The [[wikipedia:Federal_Communications_Commission|'''Federal Communications Commission (FCC)''']] is a governmental regulatory agency tasked with ensuring a competitive and fair market for radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable communications within the United States of America and its territories.<ref>[https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/what-we-do What We Do] | Federal Communications Commission ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260113095449/https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/what-we-do Archived])</ref> The commission is currently chaired by [[wikipedia:Brendan_Carr_(lawyer)|Brendan Carr]], who is expected to shift the FCC’s focus on several key communication policy areas such as [[net neutrality]], broadband regulation, digital equity, market competition, infrastructure funding, online content moderation, and regulatory treatment for similar communications services.<ref>[https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2025/01/expectations-for-a-chairman-carr-led-federal Expectations for a Chairman Carr Led Federal Communications Commission] | Insights | Venable LLP ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251116152853/https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2025/01/expectations-for-a-chairman-carr-led-federal Archived])</ref>

==Current regulations relevant to consumer protection==

*'''Truth-in-Billing Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.2401):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-Y/section-64.2401</ref> Ensures that telecommunications bills are clear, accurate, and not misleading, protecting consumers from hidden fees, unclear charges, and deceptive billing practices.

*'''Truth-in-Billing Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.2401):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-Y/section-64.2401 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250219174731/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-Y/section-64.2401 Archived])</ref> Ensures that telecommunications bills are clear, accurate, and not misleading, protecting consumers from hidden fees, unclear charges, and deceptive billing practices.

*'''Slamming and Cramming Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.1100 and 47 CFR § 64.1200):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-K/section-64.1100</ref> Prevents unauthorized switching of telecommunications service provider and unauthorized charges to phone bills.

*'''Slamming and Cramming Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.1100 and 47 CFR § 64.1200):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-K/section-64.1100 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250717193133/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-K/section-64.1100 Archived])</ref> Prevents unauthorized switching of telecommunications service provider and unauthorized charges to phone bills.

*'''Telephone Consumer Protection Act''' (47 U.S.C. § 227):<ref>https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tcpa-rules.pdf</ref> Makes SMS spam (robotexts) illegal. Requires prior consent for automated calls and prohibits unsolicited advertisements over the public telephone system.

*'''Telephone Consumer Protection Act''' (47 U.S.C. § 227):<ref>https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tcpa-rules.pdf ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251229180436/https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tcpa-rules.pdf Archived])</ref> Makes SMS spam (robotexts) illegal. Requires prior consent for automated calls and prohibits unsolicited advertisements over the public telephone system.

*'''Robocall and Spoofing Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.1600):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64</ref> Requires callers to obtain consent before making robocalls and prohibits misleading caller ID information.

*'''Robocall and Spoofing Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.1600):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250222103959/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64 Archived])</ref> Requires callers to obtain consent before making robocalls and prohibits misleading caller ID information.

*'''Do-Not-Call Registry Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.1200 et seq.):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64</ref> Allows consumers to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls.

*'''Do-Not-Call Registry Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.1200 et seq.):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250222103959/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64 Archived])</ref> Allows consumers to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls.

*'''Net Neutrality Rules (Open Internet Order)''' (47 CFR § 8.1 et seq.):<ref name=":0">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-8</ref> Ensures that internet service providers (ISPs) treat all internet traffic equally without blocking, throttling, or prioritizing certain content.

*'''Net Neutrality Rules (Open Internet Order)''' (47 CFR § 8.1 et seq.):<ref name=":0">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-8 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250222235243/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-8 Archived])</ref> Ensures that internet service providers (ISPs) treat all internet traffic equally without blocking, throttling, or prioritizing certain content.

*'''Broadband Transparency Rules''' (47 CFR § 8.1 et seq.):'''<ref name=":0" />''' Requires ISPs to disclose accurate information about their services, including speeds, fees, and data caps.

*'''Broadband Consumer Privacy Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.2001 et seq.):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-U</ref> Requires ISPs to obtain opt-in consent before sharing sensitive consumer data.

*'''Broadband Consumer Privacy Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.2001 et seq.):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-U ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250222103959/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64 Archived])</ref> Requires ISPs to obtain opt-in consent before sharing sensitive consumer data.

*'''Consumer Complaint Process''' (47 CFR § 1.711 et seq.):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subpart-E</ref> Provides a mechanism for consumers to file complaints against telecommunications providers.

*'''Consumer Complaint Process''' (47 CFR § 1.711 et seq.):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subpart-E ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260223044432/https://unblock.federalregister.gov/ Archived])</ref> Provides a mechanism for consumers to file complaints against telecommunications providers.

==See also==

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 |Website=https://fcc.gov/
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-The [[wikipedia:Federal_Communications_Commission|'''Federal Communications Commission (FCC)''']] is a governmental regulatory agency tasked with ensuring a competitive and fair market for radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable communications within the United States of America and its territories.<ref>[https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/what-we-do What We Do] | Federal Communications Commission</ref> The commission is currently chaired by [[wikipedia:Brendan_Carr_(lawyer)|Brendan Carr]], who is expected to shift the FCC’s focus on several key communication policy areas such as [[net neutrality]], broadband regulation, digital equity, market competition, infrastructure funding, online content moderation, and regulatory treatment for similar communications services.<ref>[https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2025/01/expectations-for-a-chairman-carr-led-federal Expectations for a Chairman Carr Led Federal Communications Commission] | Insights | Venable LLP</ref>
+The [[wikipedia:Federal_Communications_Commission|'''Federal Communications Commission (FCC)''']] is a governmental regulatory agency tasked with ensuring a competitive and fair market for radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable communications within the United States of America and its territories.<ref>[https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/what-we-do What We Do] | Federal Communications Commission ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260113095449/https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/what-we-do Archived])</ref> The commission is currently chaired by [[wikipedia:Brendan_Carr_(lawyer)|Brendan Carr]], who is expected to shift the FCC’s focus on several key communication policy areas such as [[net neutrality]], broadband regulation, digital equity, market competition, infrastructure funding, online content moderation, and regulatory treatment for similar communications services.<ref>[https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2025/01/expectations-for-a-chairman-carr-led-federal Expectations for a Chairman Carr Led Federal Communications Commission] | Insights | Venable LLP ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251116152853/https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2025/01/expectations-for-a-chairman-carr-led-federal Archived])</ref>
 ==Current regulations relevant to consumer protection==
-*'''Truth-in-Billing Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.2401):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-Y/section-64.2401</ref> Ensures that telecommunications bills are clear, accurate, and not misleading, protecting consumers from hidden fees, unclear charges, and deceptive billing practices.
+*'''Truth-in-Billing Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.2401):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-Y/section-64.2401 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250219174731/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-Y/section-64.2401 Archived])</ref> Ensures that telecommunications bills are clear, accurate, and not misleading, protecting consumers from hidden fees, unclear charges, and deceptive billing practices.
-*'''Slamming and Cramming Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.1100 and 47 CFR § 64.1200):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-K/section-64.1100</ref> Prevents unauthorized switching of telecommunications service provider and unauthorized charges to phone bills.
+*'''Slamming and Cramming Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.1100 and 47 CFR § 64.1200):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-K/section-64.1100 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250717193133/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-K/section-64.1100 Archived])</ref> Prevents unauthorized switching of telecommunications service provider and unauthorized charges to phone bills.
-*'''Telephone Consumer Protection Act''' (47 U.S.C. § 227):<ref>https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tcpa-rules.pdf</ref> Makes SMS  spam (robotexts) illegal. Requires prior consent for automated calls and prohibits unsolicited advertisements over the public telephone system.
+*'''Telephone Consumer Protection Act''' (47 U.S.C. § 227):<ref>https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tcpa-rules.pdf ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251229180436/https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tcpa-rules.pdf Archived])</ref> Makes SMS  spam (robotexts) illegal. Requires prior consent for automated calls and prohibits unsolicited advertisements over the public telephone system.
-*'''Robocall and Spoofing Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.1600):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64</ref> Requires callers to obtain consent before making robocalls and prohibits misleading caller ID information.
+*'''Robocall and Spoofing Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.1600):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250222103959/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64 Archived])</ref> Requires callers to obtain consent before making robocalls and prohibits misleading caller ID information.
-*'''Do-Not-Call Registry Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.1200 et seq.):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64</ref> Allows consumers to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls.
+*'''Do-Not-Call Registry Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.1200 et seq.):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250222103959/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64 Archived])</ref> Allows consumers to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls.
-*'''Net Neutrality Rules (Open Internet Order)''' (47 CFR § 8.1 et seq.):<ref name=":0">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-8</ref> Ensures that internet service providers (ISPs) treat all internet traffic equally without blocking, throttling, or prioritizing certain content.
+*'''Net Neutrality Rules (Open Internet Order)''' (47 CFR § 8.1 et seq.):<ref name=":0">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-8 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250222235243/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-8 Archived])</ref> Ensures that internet service providers (ISPs) treat all internet traffic equally without blocking, throttling, or prioritizing certain content.
 *'''Broadband Transparency Rules''' (47 CFR § 8.1 et seq.):'''<ref name=":0" />''' Requires ISPs to disclose accurate information about their services, including speeds, fees, and data caps.
-*'''Broadband Consumer Privacy Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.2001 et seq.):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-U</ref> Requires ISPs to obtain opt-in consent before sharing sensitive consumer data.
+*'''Broadband Consumer Privacy Rules''' (47 CFR § 64.2001 et seq.):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-U ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250222103959/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64 Archived])</ref> Requires ISPs to obtain opt-in consent before sharing sensitive consumer data.
-*'''Consumer Complaint Process''' (47 CFR § 1.711 et seq.):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subpart-E</ref> Provides a mechanism for consumers to file complaints against telecommunications providers.
+*'''Consumer Complaint Process''' (47 CFR § 1.711 et seq.):<ref>https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subpart-E ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260223044432/https://unblock.federalregister.gov/ Archived])</ref> Provides a mechanism for consumers to file complaints against telecommunications providers.
 ==See also==