For the purpose of regulating interstate and foreign commerce in communication by wire and radio so as to make available, so far as possible, to all the people of the United States, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, a rapid, efficient, Nation-wide, and world-wide wire and radio communication service with adequate facilities at reasonable charges, for the purpose of the national defense, for the purpose of promoting safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio communications, and for the purpose of securing a more effective execution of this policy by centralizing authority heretofore granted by law to several agencies and by granting additional authority with respect to interstate and foreign commerce in wire and radio communication, there is created a commission to be known as the “Federal Communications Commission”, which shall be constituted as hereinafter provided, and which shall execute and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title I, § 1, 48 Stat. 1064; May 20, 1937, ch. 229, § 1, 50 Stat. 189; Pub. L. 104–104, title I, § 104, Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 86.)
Editorial Notes
References in TextThis chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, known as the Communications Act of 1934, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables.
Amendments1996—Pub. L. 104–104 inserted “, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex,” after “to all the people of the United States”.
1937—Act May 20, 1937, inserted “for the purpose of promoting safety of life and property through the use of wire and radio communication”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Extension of Internet Tax Freedom ActPub. L. 114–113, div. E, title VI, § 633, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2471, provided that: “Sections 1101(a) and 1104(a)(2)(A) of the Internet Tax Freedom Act (title XI of division C of Public Law 105–277; 47 U.S.C. 151 note) shall be applied by substituting ‘October 1, 2016’ for ‘October 1, 2015’.”
Moratorium on Internet TaxesPub. L. 105–277, div. C, title XI, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–719, as amended by Pub. L. 107–75, § 2, Nov. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 703; Pub. L. 108–435, §§ 2–6A, Dec. 3, 2004, 118 Stat. 2615–2618; Pub. L. 110–108, §§ 2–6, Oct. 31, 2007, 121 Stat. 1024–1026; Pub. L. 113–235, div. E, title VI, § 624, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2377; Pub. L. 114–125, title IX, § 922, Feb. 24, 2016, 130 Stat. 281, provided that:
[Pub. L. 110–108, § 7, Oct. 31, 2007, 121 Stat. 1027, provided that: “This Act [enacting provisions set out as a note under section 609 of this title and amending title XI of div. C of Pub. L. 105–277, set out above], and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect on November 1, 2007, and shall apply with respect to taxes in effect as of such date or thereafter enacted, except as provided in section 1104 of the Internet Tax Freedom Act [title XI of div. C of Pub. L. 105–277] (47 U.S.C. 151 note).”
]
[Pub. L. 108–435, § 8, Dec. 3, 2004, 118 Stat. 2619, provided that: “The amendments made by this Act [amending title XI of div. C of Pub. L. 105–277, set out above] take effect on November 1, 2003.”
]
Stylistic ConsistencyPub. L. 104–104, title I, § 101(c), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 79, provided that:
“The Act [Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.)] is amended so that—
“(1) the designation and heading of each title of the Act shall be in the form and typeface of the designation and heading of this title of this Act [110 Stat. 61]; and
“(2) the designation and heading of each part of each title of the Act shall be in the form and typeface of the designation and heading of part I of title II of the Act [110 Stat. 61], as amended by subsection (a).”
Study of Telecommunications and Information GoalsPub. L. 97–259, title II, § 202, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1099, required the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to conduct a comprehensive study of the long-range international telecommunications and information goals of the United States and the policies and the strategies needed to achieve these goals, with a review of these policies, and provided the Administration would not make public information regarding usage or traffic patterns which would damage United States commercial interests.
Commission on Governmental Use of International TelecommunicationsAct July 29, 1954, ch. 647, 68 Stat. 587, established the Commission on Governmental Use of International Telecommunications to examine, study and report on the objectives, operations, and effectiveness of information programs with respect to the prompt development of techniques, methods, and programs for greatly expanded and far more effective operations in this vital area of foreign policy through the use of foreign telecommunications. The Commission was required to make a report of its findings and recommendations on or before Dec. 31, 1954, and the Commission ceased to exist 90 days after submission of its report to the Congress.
Communication Privileges to Participants in World Telecommunication ConferencesAct May 13, 1947, ch. 51, 61 Stat. 83, provided that nothing in this chapter, or in any other provision of law should be construed to prohibit United States communication common carriers from rendering free communication services to official participants in the world telecommunications conferences which were held in the United States in 1947.
Executive Documents
Executive Order No. 10460
Ex. Ord. No. 10460, eff. June 18, 1953, 18 F.R. 3513, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 10773, eff. July 1, 1958, 23 F.R. 5061; Ex. Ord. No. 10782, eff. Sept. 8, 1958, 23 F.R. 6971, which related to the performance of telecommunication functions by Director of the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization, was revoked by section 4 of Ex. Ord. No. 10995, eff. Feb. 16, 1962, 27 F.R. 1519.