The Office of Communications Business Opportunities, also known as the OCBO, is a small office of the Federal Communications Commission that is run by director Sanford Williams and 6 other staff members. The purpose of the OCBO is to promote competition for high-quality telecommunications services in all areas while encouraging innovation in the industry.
All companies have the right to compete to offer their communications and information services without the fear of there being monopolies. This is why the OCBO listens to the problems that small businesses are facing in staying competitive and the barriers that could be preventing innovation in the industry.
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Involvement in Regulatory Reform
The Office is involved in helping advocate for small businesses and setting regulatory reform that would ultimately help these small businesses compete in the information industry that has multi-national contenders. To ensure that the needs of all businesses wanting to do business in the nation don’t face unfair burdens, the Office will stay involved in roundtables that are held by the US Small Business Administration.
Most recently, the OCBO sat with the Office of Advocacy through the SBA and small business owners who wanted their voice to be heard. What came from this meeting was that there were clear burdens set by the high regulatory costs that smaller companies simply could not afford. It was also addressed that the public isn’t aware there is assistance available through the office. This led to two new executive orders to reduce regulation and control the costs that will help reduce the burden.
Expanding Access to Quality Services
The OCBO also keeps businesses in the loop about other reforms and efforts being made by bureaus and offices of the FCC. One of the bigger reforms that the office is a part of is the Connect America Fund Phase II. This reform ensures that individuals who live in high-cost areas will be able to find lower-cost services. The office has made a deal with ten carriers throughout the area so there are price caps to make it possible for the next ten years.
Support of Women and Minority-Owned Businesses
Not only does the OCBO support small businesses, it also supports businesses that are owned by women or by minorities. The office works directly with the SBA to discuss offering the parties above greater flexibility in policies and rulemaking. The office also works to ensure Small Business Acts set forth are fair so that there are no entry barriers for entrepreneurs based on Section 257 of the Communications Act.
College Internships
While the Office of Communications Business Opportunities is a small one, annually there are still internship opportunities available to one college student and one law student both in the spring and summer semesters. Applicants should have work experience in the field and an interest in issues that would impact minorities and women in business.
The communications industry has forever been a highly competitive one. Since there is constant innovation in the field, it’s difficult for all business owners to keep up. The Office of Communications Business Opportunities has been put in place to ensure there is competition throughout the nation and that all business owners have a fair chance at competition.