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Office Functions
- Develop overall policies, objectives, and priorities for the Office of Engineering and Technology programs and activities; perform management functions; and supervise the execution of these policies.
- Advise and represent the Commission on frequency allocation and spectrum usage matters, including those covered by international agreements.
- Plan and direct broad programs for development of information relative to communication techniques and equipment, radio wave propagation, and new uses for communications, and advise the Commission and staff offices in such matters.
- Represent the Commission at various national and international conferences and meetings devoted to the progress of communications and the development of information and standards.
- Conduct engineering and technical studies in advanced phases of terrestrial and space communications, and special projects to obtain theoretical and experimental data on new or improved techniques, including cooperative studies with other staff units and consultant and contract efforts as appropriate.
- Advise the Commission and other bureaus and offices concerning spectrum management, emerging technologies, technical standards, international considerations and national security matters involved in making or implementing policy or in resolving specific situations involving these matters.
- Develop and implement procedures to acquire, store, and retrieve scientific and technical information required in the engineering work of the Commission.
- Provide, in cooperation with the General Counsel and the Office of Plans and Policy, advice to the Commission, participate in and coordinate staff work with respect to general frequency allocation proceedings and other proceedings not within the jurisdiction of any single bureau, and provide assistance and advice with respect to rulemaking matters and proceedings affecting more than one bureau.
- Administer Parts 2, 5, 15, and 18, of the Commission's Rules and Regulations.
- Perform technical, engineering, and management functions of the Commission with respect to formulating rules and regulations, technical standards, and general policies for Parts 2, 5, 15 and 18, and for certification, Declaration of Conformity, and verification of radio equipment for compliance with the rules.
- Maintain liaison with other agencies of government, technical experts representing foreign governments, and members of the public and industry concerned with communications and frequency allocation and usage.
- Calibrate and standardize technical equipment and installations used by the Commission.
- For those areas under Office cognizance, respond to consumer complaints and requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act.
- Prepare recommendations for legislation, and review recommendations for rule changes and rulemaking proposals initiated by other offices affecting Bureau programs and operations.
- Review agenda items originating within Office and those initiated by other Bureaus and Offices for consistency with FCC technical objectives.
- Maintain materials associated with multi and bilateral meetings and agreements pertaining to matters under the jurisdiction of the Office Chief.
- Develop and support Commission initiatives to address, in a telecommunications context, potential problems posed by the millennium date change and coordinated efforts with the industry, federal and state governments and the international community.
| Administrative Staff |
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- Direct Office-wide administrative and management programs.
- Assist the Office Chief in setting project priorities, taking into account Commission objectives and the availability of Office resources.
- Monitor all work activities of the Office (i.e., engineering studies, agenda items review, and important correspondence) and inform the Office Chief of overall progress, highlighting significant problem areas, and recommending corrective actions when necessary.
- Develop and administer the Office's project management program. Serve as the Office's contact point with the Office of Managing Director and other Offices and operating Bureaus concerning project management matters.
- Direct the development of resource allocation proposals to implement long and mid-range management plans. Develop management systems to provide information necessary for establishing objectives, programs, and resource planning.
- Perform internal organization and management surveys and analyses and coordinate management surveys and studies or audits performed by external organizations; act as liaison with Managing Director, GAO, and Congress.
- Develop and implement methods for measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of office systems and evaluate same. Recommend changes in programs, policies, priorities or objectives to initiate improvements and for resolution of problems identified in the evaluation process.
- Develop and direct staff activities in personnel management areas including position management, staffing, training, career development, employee relations, performance appraisals, awards, occupational health and safety, and EEO. Maintain office personnel records. Interpret directives and prepare Bureau internal directives coverings all areas of office administration and management.
- Direct the Office's Labor Relations Program; serve as the Bureau's Labor Relations Liaison, with the FCC's labor relations staff.
- Formulate Office's budget estimates and justifications. Develop and control operating budgets and financial plans. Prepare information for the Office Chief or his representative in preparing for Congressional testimony on budget matters.
- Direct the paperwork reduction and records management programs, including forms control and development, and reports and directives controls.
- Administer the FCC's system of Internal and Management Controls within Office. Identify assessable units and develop Vulnerability Assessments. Direct Office's security program.
- Coordinate administrative support services for Office, including office space, building services, telephones, office furniture and equipment, printing, etc., and maintain liaison with Office of Managing Director on these matters.
- Perform functions of the Data Automation Liaison Officer. Provide services for administrative responsibilities for office automation processing, including management of office automation and training, drawing on divisions for expertise.
| POLICY AND RULES DIVISION |
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- Provide the Commission advice on technical and policy issues pertaining to spectrum allocation and use.
- Prepare and coordinate Commission rulemaking items and public notices of inquiry pertaining to changes in the U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations.
- Administer and formulate rules and general policies for Part 2 of the Rules and provide oversight of the Commission's frequency allocation activities.
- Administer and formulate rules, technical standards, and general policies for Parts 15 and 18 of the Rules, and serve as agency expert on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of nonlicensed electronic equipment.
- Develop engineering standards for equipment and systems in the various radio services regulated by the Commission, to form the basis for equipment approval and licensing by the Commission.
- Advise on, and review proposed rule changes and Commission agenda items pertaining to technical aspects of Commission functions.
- Develop and implement proposed legislation, where necessary, to ensure more efficient allocation and administration of the radio spectrum.
- Provide FCC representation and interagency coordination by participating in the work of national/international committees, and by coordinating with government agencies of other groups concerned with equipment authorization policy and rules and implementation of mutual recognition agreements.
| Spectrum Policy Branch |
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- Develop and present, for Commission consideration, regulations and procedures that address spectrum allocation and utilization, including modifications to the Table of Frequency Allocation contained in Part 2 of the Rules. Respond to petitions and changing requirements for spectrum use. Coordinate with other bureaus and offices as appropriate.
- Review other bureaus/offices' agenda items affecting Part 2 of the Rules for accuracy and consistency with long range plans for use of the radio spectrum; interpret Part 2 of the Rules in response to public or Commission staff requests regarding the Table of Frequency Allocations, and ensure continuing accuracy of the Table of Frequency Allocations.
- Participate in the development of the U.S. proposals to international conferences relating to frequency allocations and the efficient use of the spectrum. Provide advice and assistance to other bureaus and offices with regard to domestic implementation of international agreements concerning spectrum use.
- Participate in various forums, symposia, meetings and conferences with government, foreign entities, radio users, radio equipment manufacturers, academic entities, and the public dealing with developments and problems in the area of spectrum management.
| Technical Rules Branch |
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- Administer Parts 15 and 18 of the Rules. Develop technical rules and standards for the operation of nonlicensed radio frequency devices including industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment, digital devices, etc. as well as new categories of equipment that utilize new technologies and services.
- Address waivers and other requests for interpretations of the Part 15 and 18 rules that raise new or novel policy issues.
- Advise the Commission and other bureaus and offices on interference and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) problems relating to radio frequency devices regulated under Parts 15 and 18 of the Rules.
- Prepare policy and rule making items related to the various Commission technical and administrative requirements for equipment.
- Review and provide advice on the technical rules contained in rule makings and other policy matters prepared by other parts of the agency, coordinating with other parts of the bureau as appropriate.
| Spectrum Coordination Branch |
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- Maintain an awareness of technical developments and activities of other Commission offices and government agencies, particularly the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, as well as activities of the communications industry. Consider these developments and activities from the standpoint of their effect on radio spectrum use.
- Plan and conduct studies of spectrum resources and utilization to ascertain spectrum congestion and to anticipate future spectrum allocation/reallocation needs. Determine future communications trends and anticipate new spectrum requirements. Propose and coordinate recommended courses of action regarding long-term uses of the electromagnetic spectrum.
- Provide, in cooperation with NTIA, national spectrum planning to promote efficient use of the spectrum so that both near-term and long-term needs of the private sector and government can be met.
- Provide Commission representation at regular meetings of the IRAC, the Frequency Assignment Subcommittee of the IRAC, and of IRAC ad hoc committees, and maintain continuing coordination between the Commission and members of the IRAC.
- Coordinate with government agencies proposals for nongovernment frequency assignments in shared and government portions of the spectrum; coordinate with appropriate Commission offices government proposals for the use of nongovernment or shared frequency bands; resolve cases of radio interference between nongovernment and government stations.
- Provide FCC representation in the work of national/international committees or other groups concerned with the development and application of telecommunications technology.
| ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY DIVISION |
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- Plan and conduct studies on radiowave propagation and communications systems characteristics and develop analytical techniques and models which enable the Commission to improve spectrum utilization.
- Perform mathematical and analytical studies for improved understanding of spectrum efficiency and other characteristics of telecommunications systems and devices.
- Administer and formulate policies for Part 5 of the Rules in order to support new technology by providing for experimentation in use of the radio spectrum.
- Plan for future uses of the radio spectrum relative to developing technologies and services and domestic telecommunications requirements.
- Support implementation of new services and technologies, by developing rules and technical standards as needed and by providing expert advice to other parts of the Commission.
- Provide studies and analyses needed to provide the foundation for international agreements relative to frequency allocation and assignment.
- Develop and implement, or recommend for implementation, improved analytical tools and administrative procedures to ensure more efficient allocation and administration of the radio spectrum.
- Advance U.S. competitiveness by participating in national and international standards activities and coordinating standards activities with other Federal agencies and departments.
| Technical Analysis Branch |
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- Plan and conduct studies of proposed radio communications systems to assess their impact on existing radio services and to ensure efficient use of the spectrum; prepare alternatives for spectrum utilization from analyses and studies, including recommendations for modifications to appropriate rules.
- Develop, review, and document techniques for evaluating spectrum efficiency and performance of existing and proposed telecommunications systems. Perform analytical studies for improved understanding of spectrum efficiency, performance, interference potential, compatibility, and other technical characteristics of telecommunications systems and devices.
- Identify, or create, and maintain database resources and associated analytical techniques required for spectrum analysis/management and for evaluation of existing and/or proposed communications and information systems. Develop and use mathematical techniques and automatic data processing equipment to construct mathematical models and analyze spectrum utilization data; and use mathematical and computerized models and techniques for evaluating spectrum efficiency and interference issues.
- Plan and conduct studies on radiowave propagation including the effect of the ionosphere, climate, meteorological phenomena, topography. Analyze physical measurements and propagation data collected by the Commission and others, developing information for Commission use, and originating and designing experimental projects for development of additional information.
- Develop and implement improved analytical techniques, models, data bases, and criteria applicable to the solution of spectrum engineering and electromagnetic compatibility problems involving telecommunications systems.
- Identify and where applicable coordinate with the Office of Managing Director the acquisition, storage and retrieval of technical data and information and develop new procedures as needed to support the on-going work of the Bureau and other Commission offices.
- Conduct equipment and systems studies and analyses in order to implement new services and technologies and to provide the basis for establishing technical standards in the various radio services.
- Review and advise on agenda items and proposed rule changes concerning technical requirements and standards in the Commission's Rules.
- Provide advice on technical standards to other Commission staff and offices. Develop technical rules and standards for the various radio services, in conjunction with other bureaus and offices.
- Recommend technical modifications for that portion of Part 2 of the Rules that relates to standards for radio frequency devices.
- Provide FCC representation and interagency coordination by participating in the work of national/international standards committees.
- Coordinate with government agencies or other groups concerned with the development and application of telecommunications technical standards; support responsibilities of FCC standards executive and of FCC metric conversion official.
- Serve as a focal point within the Commission for information, evaluation, and study of issues relating to potential hazards and health risks of radiofrequency radiation and appropriate analytical and measurement techniques for the assessment of such radiation.
| Experimental Licensing Branch |
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- Develop and recommend rules, standards, procedures, and forms for the authorization and regulation of the Experimental Radio Service at Part 5 of the Rules.
- Process applications and issue experimental licenses and authorizations for basic scientific and technical radio research; for the development of radio techniques, new equipment, or engineering data; for technical demonstrations of equipment or techniques; or for field strength surveys.
- Monitor the experimental program to ensure licensee compliance with the terms of authorizations, act on complaints of interference, and initiate enforcement actions with the appropriate Commission offices.
- Collect required technical information from licensees of developmental programs. Establish and maintain records of experimental activities which may be used to advise or inform the Commission in its disposition of pending rule makings or other proceedings. Distribute information arising from experimental activities to appropriate Commission offices.
| LABORATORY DIVISION |
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- Identify and investigate new telecommunications and related technologies for impact on the telecommunications industry and national/international telecommunications systems. Determine interference risks and technical operating parameters in order to develop technical standards and make recommendations to the Commission.
- Support rulemaking by conducting laboratory based technical studies of competing arguments and technologies.
- Design test procedures for equipment subject to regulation by the Commission and conduct tests to determine conformance of equipment to procedures and standards. Support national and international standards activities related to development of measurement procedures for determining compliance with FCC Rules.
- Identify, plan and conduct studies to evaluate the internet, voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and other communication technologies.
- Promote privatization of the equipment authorization program and international harmonization of conformity assessment schemes by negotiating and supporting Mutual Recognition Agreements.
- Audit private sector certification bodies, evaluate equipment subject to the FCC Rules, prepare compliance reports and assist in the enforcement of the equipment authorization rules to ensure protection of the radio spectrum.
- Develop technical requirements and evaluate test facilities in support of the equipment authorization program.
- Identify and evaluate new or novel products submitted for equipment authorization; determine interference risk, assess how the rules or standards should be applied, and recommend appropriate actions.
- Act on applications for certification of equipment and evaluate equipment subject to manufacturer's documentation of compliance and verification to promote efficient use of the radio spectrum.
- Address requests for rule interpretations with regard to the equipment authorization requirements, particularly Parts 2, 15 and 18 of the Commission's Rules.
- Provide support to improve customer service in the equipment authorization program. Develop a variety of means to improve the availability of information to the public on the equipment authorization program. Provide liaison, and where appropriate, participate with foreign and domestic organizations that address equipment authorization matters.
- Repair and calibrate Commission equipment; design, develop and construct specialized equipment for Commission use; and calibrate and test equipment for other bureaus and offices, as needed.
- Administer and maintain a laboratory facility used to conduct specialized tests of equipment subject to Commission regulation, and to perform special tests and studies concerning telecommunications equipment and special systems.
- Provide automated data processing support by designing specialized hardware systems and software for equipment authorization analyses, interference analyses, automated test systems, electronic communications, etc.
| Technical Research Branch |
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- Identify and investigate new telecommunications and related technologies for impact on the telecommunications industry and national/international telecommunications systems. Determine interference risks and technical operating parameters in order to develop technical standards and make recommendations to the Commission.
- Support rulemaking by conducting technical studies of competing arguments and technologies. Plan and conduct studies to evaluate the effectiveness, electromagnetic compatibility, and spectrum efficiency of proposed new communications technologies. Prepare technical reports of the findings of these studies as support for Commission policy decisions.
- Design, modify, develop specifications, construct, and assemble special equipment and apparatus needed for these studies. Coordinate, plan and conduct tests to collect and analyze data needed for studies falling within the specialties of other Bureau and technical Commission units. Maintain liaison with government and non-government agencies and organizations and others concerned with the development and application of telecommunications technology.
- Design test procedures for equipment subject to FCC Rules and conduct tests to determine conformance of equipment to procedures and standards. Support national and international standards activities related to development of measurement procedures for determining compliance with FCC Rules. Provide FCC representation by participating in the work of national/international committees or other groups concerned with the development and application of telecommunications technology.
- Provide technical support for the development and administration of the Division IT system.
- Promote privatization of the equipment authorization program and international harmonization of conformity assessment schemes by negotiating and supporting Mutual Recognition Agreements.
- Repair and calibrate Commission equipment; design, develop and construct specialized equipment for Commission use; and calibrate and test equipment for other bureaus and offices, as needed.
- Assist in addressing requests for interpretations of the FCC Rules and Regulations, including those requiring technical interpretations.
| Auditing and Compliance Branch |
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- Audit private sector certification bodies and prepare documentation tracking the performance of such bodies and when necessary assist in the removal of poor performers.
- Test, evaluate and sample various types of equipment proposed for marketing; prepare reports and recommendations concerning such equipment and approve or deny applications for equipment authorization.
- Evaluate equipment subject to the FCC Rules, prepare reports and recommendations and assist in the enforcement of the equipment authorization rules to ensure protection of the radio spectrum.
- Develop technical requirements and evaluate test facilities in support of the equipment authorization program.
- Assist in addressing requests for interpretations of the FCC Rules and Regulations, including those requiring technical interpretations.
- Establish training criteria and develop training material for public outreach regarding the FCC Rules, equipment authorization program, TCB program and Mutual Recognition Agreements.
- Develop and maintain a test site and enforcement databases.
| Equipment Authorization Branch |
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- Perform engineering analyses related to the authorization of all equipment subject to the Commission's technical and administrative Rules.
- Perform tests of equipment subject to certification to determine whether equipment complies with applicable rules, and provide documentation in the form of test data and reports.
- Identify and evaluate new or novel products submitted for equipment authorization; determine interference risk, assess how the rules or standards should be applied, and recommend appropriate actions.
- Address requests for interpretations of the FCC Rules and Regulations, particularly those dealing with the equipment authorization program and those requiring technical interpretations.
- Provide liaison, and when appropriate, participate with foreign and domestic organizations that address equipment authorization matters.
- Handle correspondence and public contacts resulting from processing of applications for certification and other equipment authorization activities.
- Prepare technical reports and recommendations concerning more effective and efficient handling of equipment authorization review activities.
- Review and advise on agenda items and proposed rule changes concerning equipment authorization requirements and procedures.
| Customer Service Branch |
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- Administer and maintain a laboratory facility used to conduct specialized tests of equipment subject to Commission regulation, and to perform special tests and studies concerning telecommunications equipment and special systems. This activity includes facilities management, facilities maintenance, shipping, and receiving.
- Analyze and develop budget planning estimates and reports for the efficient operation of the laboratory.
- Develop, administer and support the Division IT system.
- Provide support to improve and promote efficient customer service to the public. Develop a variety of means to improve the availability of information to the public on the equipment authorization program.
- Provide information and assistance as required in responding to inquiries from the Congress, inquiries filed under the Freedom of Information Act, and all other public inquiries, particularly administrative and technical equipment rules.
- Prepare required administrative reports relating to the application examining activity, and maintain appropriate records and files. Provide for efficient handling and storage of all equipment authorization records. Maintain an integrated database of all equipment authorizations issued by the Commission or other authorized body.
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