FCC
The Federal Communications Commission is the U.S. federal regulatory agency that licenses and oversees interstate and international communications across radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories. It runs core licensing and auction platforms (ULS, ECFS, CDBS, COALS, ICFS, OET-EAS, Spectrum Auctions) and is funded through congressional appropriations and statutory regulatory fees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1934
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What FCC does
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent U.S. federal regulatory agency established in 1934 by the Communications Act, headquartered at 45 L Street NE, Washington, D.C. It is the primary federal authority for interstate and international communications regulation across radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The agency is directed by five commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, with Brendan Carr currently serving as Chairman; the FCC manages the electromagnetic spectrum, certifies equipment, licenses broadcasters and carriers, protects consumers, and oversees public-safety communications.
The FCC operates a comprehensive suite of regulatory technology platforms rather than a commercial product portfolio. Core systems include the Universal Licensing System (ULS) for wireless applications, the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) — an API-enabled repository of docketed proceedings since 1992 — the Spectrum Auctions platform (which ran 72 rounds in the $3.57 billion AWS-3 auction), the Cable Operations and Licensing System (COALS), the Broadcast/CDBS system, the International Communications Filing System (ICFS), the Equipment Authorization System (OET-EAS), the Experimental Licensing System (ELS), the Network Outage Reporting System (NORS), the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS), and the Consumer Complaint Center. The FCC also designates the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to administer Universal Service Fund programs for rural, low-income, school, library, and healthcare connectivity.
The FCC is funded through congressional appropriations and statutory regulatory fees collected from regulated entities under Title 47; it does not sell products or services and does not generate commercial revenue. Spectrum auction proceeds and application fees are deposited in the U.S. Treasury and are not available for FCC operations. The agency is led by commissioners (Carr, Gomez, Trusty confirmed in source data) supported by a 1,001–5,000-person staff organized into bureaus (Wireless Telecommunications, Media, Wireline Competition, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Space, Consumer and Governmental Affairs) and offices (Engineering and Technology, General Counsel, etc.), with regional, national-security, and inter-agency coordination responsibilities.
FCC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FCC
- Legal name
- Federal Communications Commission
- Website
- https://fcc.gov
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1934
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The Federal Communications Commission is the U.S. federal regulatory agency that licenses and oversees interstate and international communications across radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories. It runs core licensing and auction platforms (ULS, ECFS, CDBS, COALS, ICFS, OET-EAS, Spectrum Auctions) and is funded through congressional appropriations and statutory regulatory fees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FCC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecommunications Regulation
- NAICS
- Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities (92613), Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities (926130)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Communications, Media & Spectrum Regulators (BPAIAOAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Interoperability Standards, Certification & Compliance (NERC CIP comms, FCC/licensing) (EUADAIAN)
Keywords
Where FCC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
FCC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Regulatory Fees: The FCC collects regulatory fees from industry entities to fund its operations, authorized by Congress under Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
FCC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the U.S. federal agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across all 50 states, DC, and U.S. territories. It manages the electromagnetic spectrum, administers spectrum auctions, issues communications licenses, authorizes radio-frequency equipment, enforces consumer protection rules, and oversees public-safety communications infrastructure.
Product overview
The FCC operates a comprehensive suite of regulatory technology platforms and licensing systems rather than a traditional product portfolio. The core platforms include the Universal Licensing System (ULS) for wireless telecommunications, the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) for regulatory proceedings, and various specialized databases for broadcast licensing (CDBS), cable operations (COALS), international communications (ICFS), equipment authorization (OET-EAS), and experimental licensing (ELS). These systems collectively enable electronic filing, license management, spectrum auctions, emergency alerting, and public access to FCC records. The FCC also maintains consumer-facing platforms including the Consumer Complaint Center, Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS), and Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) for emergency management coordination. The FCC's regulatory technology infrastructure supports spectrum management, equipment certification, broadcast licensing, and telecommunications oversight across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Universal Licensing System (ULS)
Companies that use FCC
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
FCC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
FCC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Host CitiesminorFCC coordinated with 11 host cities across the United States to ensure robust, resilient and secure communications networks for the FIFA World Cup 2026, including public safety communications protection and spectrum monitoring.
- Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)coreFCC designates USAC as the non-profit administrator of the Universal Service Fund, which collects and delivers funding through four programs supporting rural communities, low-income consumers, schools, libraries, and healthcare providers.
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)coreThe FCC coordinates with NTIA on spectrum usage issues, as NTIA manages federal spectrum use while the FCC manages non-federal spectrum. This coordination is essential for spectrum allocation decisions.
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)coreFCC coordinated with the FAA on technical safeguards for aircraft radio altimeters regarding C-band spectrum deployments to prevent interference with aviation equipment.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
FCC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Independent U.S. federal regulatory agency with consumer protection and competition authority that overlaps with FCC's mandate on privacy, robocalls, and competition in communications markets. Both agencies share concurrent jurisdiction over telecom consumer issues and data privacy enforcement.
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Independent federal regulatory agency similarly affected by the Trump v. Slaughter ruling on presidential removal authority, facing the same structural challenges to agency independence as the FCC under the current administration.
Direct peers
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA): U.S. agency that manages federal spectrum use while FCC manages non-federal spectrum, requiring constant inter-agency coordination on spectrum allocation. NTIA is the FCC's most direct counterpart and partner in spectrum policy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FCC social profiles
Digital presenceFCC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FCC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
FCC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FCC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments11 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FCC
What does FCC do?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the U.S. federal agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across all 50 states, DC, and U.S. territories. It manages the electromagnetic spectrum, administers spectrum auctions, issues communications licenses, authorizes radio-frequency equipment, enforces consumer protection rules, and oversees public-safety communications infrastructure.
Is FCC a public or private company?
FCC is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was FCC founded?
FCC was founded in 1934. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is FCC based?
FCC is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does FCC make money?
One revenue line is on record: regulatory Fees.
Who are FCC's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is listed as a direct peer.
Does FCC have an API?
Yes. The FCC offers the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) API for submitting and retrieving documents in FCC docketed proceedings from 1992 to present. The ECFS allows public access to retrieve documents and submit filings in rulemaking proceedings. Multiple specialized filing systems exist including ICFS for international filings, OET for experimental licensing, and ELS for experimental radio service authorizations. The ECFS Help Desk provides support at 202-418-0193. Developer documentation is at www.fcc.gov/ecfs.
What industry is FCC in?
FCC's product category is Telecommunications Regulation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAOAI, Communications, Media & Spectrum Regulators, with a secondary code of EUADAIAN, Interoperability Standards, Certification & Compliance (NERC CIP comms, FCC/licensing). Its NAICS code is 92613.