[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR0.21]

[Page 10-11]
 
                       TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
 
              CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
 
PART 0--COMMISSION ORGANIZATION--Table of Contents
 
                         Subpart A--Organization
 
Sec.  0.21  Functions of the Office.

    The Office of Plans and Policy, as a staff office to the Commission, 
assists, advises and makes recommendations to the Commission with 
respect to the development and implementation of communications policies 
in all areas of Commission authority and responsibility. A principal 
function of the Office is to conduct independent policy analyses to 
assess the long-term effects

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of alternative Commission policies on domestic and international 
communication industries and services, with due consideration of the 
responsibilities and programs of other staff units, and to recommend 
appropriate Commission action. The Office is also responsible for 
coordinating the policy research and development activities of other 
staff units, with special concern for matters which transcend their 
individual areas of responsibility. The Office is composed of legal, 
engineering, economic, and sociological policy analysts and other 
personnel, and is headed by a chief having the following duties and 
responsibilities:
    (a) To identify and define significant communications policy issues 
in all areas of Commission interest and responsibility;
    (b) To conduct technical, economic, and sociological impact studies 
of existing and proposed communications policies and operations, 
including cooperative studies with other staff units and consultant and 
contract efforts as appropriate;
    (c) To develop and evaluate alternative policy options and 
approaches for consideration by the Commission;
    (d) To review and comment on all significant actions proposed to be 
taken by the Commission in terms of their overall policy implications;
    (e) To recommend and evaluate governmental (state and federal), 
academic, and industry sponsored research affecting Commission policy 
issues;
    (f) To prepare briefings, position papers, proposed Commission 
actions, or other agenda items as appropriate;
    (g) To manage the Commission's policy research program, recommend 
budget levels and priorities for this program, and serve as central 
account manager for all contractual policy research studies funded by 
the Commission;
    (h) To coordinate the formation and presentation of Commission 
positions in communications policy; represent the Commission at 
appropriate discussions and conferences.
    (i) Develop and recommend procedures and plans for the effective 
handling of policy issues within the Commission.
    (j) To help ensure that FCC policy encourages and promotes 
competitive market structures by providing bureaus and offices with the 
necessary support to identify, evaluate, and effectively and 
consistently resolve competitiveness issues.

[38 FR 17005, June 28, 1973, as amended at 45 FR 25400, Apr. 15, 1980; 
51 FR 12615, Apr. 14, 1986; 60 FR 5323, Jan. 27, 1995; 64 FR 5950, Feb. 
8, 1999]

                  Office of Engineering and Technology