Congressional Research Service Reports - 46 Matching Results

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The Federal Communications Commission: Current Structure and Its Role in the Changing Telecommunications Landscape

Description: The report discusses the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-Related Congressional Actions in the 112th Congress. The policymakers, including some in Congress, have long called for varying degrees and types of reform to the FCC. Most proposals fall into two categories: (1) procedural changes made within the FCC or through congressional action that would affect the agency's operations or (2) substantive policy changes requiring congressional action that would affect how the agency regulates … more
Date: January 12, 2012
Creator: Figliola, Patricia Moloney
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Public Safety Communications and Spectrum Resources: Policy Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the availability of radio frequency spectrum that is considered essential to developing a modern, interoperable communications network for public safety. To resolve the debate and move the planning process forward, Congress may decide to pursue oversight or change existing law. Actions proposed to Congress include authorizing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reassign spectrum and changing requirements for the use of spectrum auction proceeds.
Date: January 29, 2010
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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A Glossary of Selected Telecommunications Terms

Description: The following glossary provides short definitions and descriptions of selected telecommunications terminology, agencies, and organizations, as well as a listing of key laws and Federal Communications Commission regulations and decisions.
Date: January 1, 1984
Creator: Bortnick, Jane; Gilroy, Angele A. & Siddall, David
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Fairness Doctorine: History and Constitutional Issues

Description: The Fairness Doctrine was a policy of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) that required broadcast licensees to cover issues of public importance and to do so in a fair manner. In 1987, after a period of study, the FCC repealed the Fairness Doctrine. The debate in Congress regarding whether to reinstate the doctrine continues today. This report covers the history of such debates.
Date: January 12, 2009
Creator: Ruane, Kathleen Ann
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Communications Act Revisions: Selected Issues for Consideration

Description: This report provides an overview of selected topics which the 109th Congress may address in its examination of telecommunications issues. The issues included in this report cover: broadband Internet regulation and access; broadcast indecency; digital television transition; Federal Communications Commission structure and reform; intercarrier compensation; media ownership rules; municipal deployment of broadband; public safety communications, the “savings clause” and monopoly issues; spectrum auc… more
Date: January 23, 2006
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Telephone Industry Issues

Description: No Description Available.
Date: January 1, 1987
Creator: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA): Issues for the 113th Congress

Description: This report examines the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is is the executive branch's principal advisory office on domestic and international telecommunications and information policies. The report specifically focuses on the new responsibilities granted to the NTIA under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-96).
Date: January 23, 2014
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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E-Rate for Schools: Background on Telecommunications Discounts Through the Universal Service Fund

Description: Congressional Research Service (CRS) report entailing information about telecommunications discounts through the Universal Service Fund, in regards to E-rate for schools. Topics include, impacts on education, current level of access, available federal assistance, application and award process, etc..
Date: January 4, 2001
Creator: Stedman, James B. & Osorio-O'Dea, Patricia
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Protecting Consumers and Businesses from Fraudulent Robocalls

Description: This report discusses efforts by Congress and the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) to combat robocall scams and prevent them from reaching consumers. It includes an overview of what robocallls are, their legitimate uses, regulation, and complaint procedures for consumers.
Date: January 5, 2018
Creator: Figliola, Patricia Moloney
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Telemarketing: Dealing with Unwanted Telemarketing Calls

Description: This report provides summaries of the federal laws and regulations particular to telemarketing, the establishment of a national do-not-call registry, and the options that are available to consumers to limit the calls that they receive from telemarketers and to report questionable telemarketing practices to local or federal authorities. The report also lists sources of additional information with addresses, phone numbers, and Internet sites (if available).
Date: January 29, 2004
Creator: Riehl, James R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Digital Television: An Overview

Description: Digital television (DTV) is a new television service representing the most significant development in television technology since the advent of color television in the 1950s. DTV can provide sharper pictures, a wider screen, CD-quality sound, better color rendition, and other new services currently being developed. A successful deployment of DTV requires: the development by content providers of compelling digital programming; the delivery of digital signals to consumers by broadcast television … more
Date: January 6, 2006
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Access to Broadband Networks: The Net Neutrality Debate

Description: This report discusses the current debate over "net neutrality." While there is no single accepted definition of "net neutrality," most agree that any such definition should include the general principles that owners of the networks that compose and provide access to the Internet should not control how consumers lawfully use that network, and they should not be able to discriminate against content provider access to that network.
Date: January 26, 2010
Creator: Gilroy, Angele A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Emergency Communications: The Future of 911

Description: This report discusses possible paths toward the modernization of the 911 infrastructure. Efforts to splice newer, digital technologies onto the aging infrastructure have created points of failure where a call can be dropped or misdirected, sometimes with tragic consequences.
Date: January 26, 2010
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Spectrum Management: Auctions

Description: This report discusses the radio frequency spectrum that is used for all forms of wireless communications, including cellular telephony, paging, personal communications service, radio and television broadcast, telephone radio relay, aeronautical and maritime radio navigation, and satellite command and control.
Date: January 25, 2007
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Emergency Communications Legislation, 2002-2006: Implications for the 110th Congress

Description: Since September 11, 2001, several bills introduced in the U.S. Congress have included provisions to assist emergency communications. Key provisions from a number of these bills have become law. This report summarizes progress in developing legislation, especially in the 109th Congress, in three areas of emergency communications: communications among first responders and other emergency personnel; emergency warnings and alerts; and 911 call centers and systems. Each area could be the subject of … more
Date: January 8, 2007
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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911 Call Center Legislation: S. 1250 and H.R. 2898

Description: This article discusses the 2003 Congress bipartisan E911 (Enhanced 911) legislation introduced in both chambers. Moreover, the article describes the difference in parallel provisions each bill contains that have significant implications for emergency communication policy. The article defines Enhanced 911 as the capability of identifying the phone number and location of a call to a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Points). This report characterizes the cost to PSAPs of upgrading systems and support… more
Date: January 16, 2004
Creator: Moore, Linda K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The First Responder Network (FirstNet) and Next-Generation Communications for Public Safety: Issues for Congress

Description: This report discusses the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), which is a federal agency that includes private sector and other non-federal representation on its board of directors. FirstNet was created by Congress with provisions in Title VI (Spectrum Act) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-96) to ensure the deployment and operation of a nationwide, broadband network for public safety communications.
Date: January 26, 2017
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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