The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a long-standing history of protecting people’s access to communications. The snowballing of technology has greatly expanded the FCC’s role in impacting telecommunication networks, the media, as well as services like broadband.

At its core, the FCC is designed to ensure fairness throughout the entire telecommunications industry. That means ensuring things like equal access to services, defending the free expression of ideas, and protecting the privacy of users.

In addition to its regulatory role, the FCC also fosters innovation and competition among service providers in the networking space. New rules and standards help to ensure that all companies are competing on a level playing field and that consumers can benefit from a range of products and services from multiple providers.

The FCC also takes an active role in narrowing the digital divide. The agency actively invests in expanding access to broadband services beyond urban areas and into rural and low-income areas, so that everyone has access to the same level of quality services without being limited by their location.

Moreover, the FCC is actively working to transition the country’s 911 emergency services system to IP-based technologies, so that they are more up-to-date and reliable. This will help to improve response times for people seeking emergency services, as well as provide additional levels of security during crisis situations.

Perhaps the biggest value of the FCC lies in its efforts to combat fraud and protect consumers. The agency works hard to ensure that consumers aren’t victimized by deceptive practices or scams. The FCC also monitors businesses to make sure they comply with the agency’s rules and regulations so they don’t harm consumers.

For anyone who’s ever used or been impacted by communication or networking services, there’s no doubt that the FCC has been a major advocate and provider of benefits. From promoting competition and innovation to protecting consumers, the FCC has a key role to play in the telecommunications space.