1. Da State

2. Da State and Economic Functions
Enforces law
Provides services
Arbitration (outside courts)
Coordination

3. Some Basic Laws/Regs Freedom of Press 1st Amendment Antitrust
Communications Act of ‘34
Telecommunications Act of ‘96
Intellectual Property

4. Enforcement??? Control Over Society Capitalist Property Rights
Repress (jailing critics)
Military (extending markets)

5. Services??? Provide for Profitable Commerce
Roads
Railroads
Post Office
Unprofitable activities (post office?)
Solving Tech Problems (Spectrum/FCC)

6. Arbitration??? Out of Court Gov. Between Capitalists
Prevent Clash/Perpetuate System

7. Coordination???
Organizes policy formation, process and then laws and regulation
Censorship
Intellectual Property
Commerce
Regulatory Agencies?

8. Agencies???
FCC- regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable
FTC- “consumer protection,” to prevent unfair methods of competition
SEC-agency responsible for administering federal securities laws in the US.
Dept of Justice- Investigate and enforce

9. FCC???
"make available…to all the people of the United States, without discrimination…rapid, efficient, Nation-wide, and world-wide wire and radio communication services with adequate facilities at reasonable charges."

10. FCC… Broadband: access for consumers and incentive for providers
Spectrum: allocate and regulate… licenses
Media: promote diversity, competition, and the digital transition
Public safety/homeland security: communications open for safety

11. More FCC…
Modernize: "The Commission shall strive to be a highly productive, adaptive and innovative organization that maximizes the benefits to stakeholders, staff and management from effective systems, processes, resources, and organizational culture."
And…???

12. Competition…
“Competition in the provision of communication services, both domestically and overseas, supports the Nation's economy. The competitive framework for communications services should foster innovation and offer consumers reliable, meaningful choice in affordable services."
Problems???

13. Consumer protection
Coercive monopoly
“trust busting”???
Fraud, false advertising, identity theft, etc.
Antitrust
Price-fixing conspiracies
Corporate mergers likely to reduce the competitive vigor of particular markets
Predatory acts designed to achieve or maintain monopoly power.

14. What’s the Common Interest???