Facilitating a Robust Communications Industry

• For many decades, companies operated separate communications networks for different services, including wired telephone, radio and television, subscription video, satellite, and wireless telephone services. As a result, government legislation, through the Communications Act of 1934, and regulations developed along these separate industry lines. Further, FCC’s organizational structure reflects many of these separate industry lines.
• In recent years, technological developments and market forces have promoted convergence in the communications industry. Today’s broadband networks deliver a myriad of services, including voice, video, and data that can improve residents’ lives and schools’ access to educational material, as well as contribute to the nation’s economic growth.

  Highlights of GAO-06-426 (PDF)

• GAO previously noted that the structure of the Communications Act was “stovepiped” along the separate industry lines and encouraged Congress to amend the act to reflect the changes that were emerging at that time and that have subsequently overtaken the industry. An outdated legislative and regulatory framework that does not reflect the current technology and market structure can hinder the continued advancement of the communications industry.
• Although FCC has established some function-based bureaus and reorganized its bureaus to reflect some changes in the telecommunications market, further evolutions and the growth of new technologies have continued to create crosscutting issues that span several bureaus. However, FCC lacks written procedures for ensuring that interbureau collaboration and communication occurs, creating the potential for instances in which FCC's final analyses may lack input from all relevant staff. FCC also lacks internal policies regarding commissioner access to staff analyses during the decision-making process, and some chairmen have restricted this access. Such restrictions may undermine the group decision-making process and impact the quality of the FCC's decisions.

  Highlights of GAO-10-79 (PDF)

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

• GAO recommended that FCC consider collecting additional data and developing additional measures to monitor competition on an ongoing basis. FCC should also develop a meaningful and workable definition of effective competition. Implementation of these recommendations will help encourage competition and ensure lower prices and adequate consumer choice.

  Highlights of GAO-07-80 (PDF)

• GAO recommended that FCC develop written policies on interbureau coordination and commissionaire access to staff analyses in order to help ensure that all relevant staff have input into analyses and decisions and that the FCC can effectively address cross-cutting issues in an evolving marketplace.

  Highlights of GAO-10-79 (PDF)

^ Back to topKey Reports

FCC Management: Improvements Needed in Communication, Decision-Making Processes, and Workforce Planning

GAO-10-79, December 17, 2009

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 68 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Telecommunications: FCC Needs to Improve Its Ability to Monitor and Determine the Extent of Competition in Dedicated Access Services

GAO-07-80, November 29, 2006

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 82 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Telecommunications: Broadband Deployment Is Extensive throughout the United States, but It Is Difficult to Assess the Extent of Deployment Gaps in Rural Areas

GAO-06-426, May 5, 2006

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 70 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Telecommunications: Options for and Barriers to Spectrum Reform

GAO-06-526T, March 14, 2006

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 24 pages)   Accessible Text

Telecommunications: Strong Support for Extending FCC's Auction Authority Exists, but Little Agreement on Other Options to Improve Efficient Use of Spectrum

GAO-06-236, December 20, 2005

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 39 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

More Reports