Consumers Need to Know About These Five Great FCC Initiatives
- 5G Fast Data Plan
- Restoring Internet Freedom
- Fighting Robocalls and Spoofing
- Telehealth Technology
- Accessible Communications for Everyone
The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, has these five great FCC initiatives that all American consumers should know. Each of these initiatives addresses a different aspect of communications and could impact a person’s everyday life. Each of these five initiatives is in progress and will continue into the short-term future.
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1. 5G Fast Data Plan
People want faster internet services. One of the newest initiatives of the FCC is the 5G FAST Plan. This initiative aims to increase the spectrum for the internet and to provide faster speeds for all internet users. This work focuses on availability for mobile internet users with 5G towers being erected in cities across the United States.
2. Restoring Internet Freedom
On June 11, 2019, the FCC started its Restoring Internet Freedom Order. This aims to make internet access cheaper, faster, better, and easier to get for all users. The Restoring Internet Freedom Order is designed to replace older regulations that went into effect before the internet existed. It also aims to provide more consumer protections.
3. Fighting Robocalls and Spoofing
Most people find that about half of the calls they get on their phone are either robocalls or spoofed calls. A robocall is one generated by a machine, usually with the purpose of collecting a person’s sensitive information or trying to get the person to buy something. Some robocalls are generated in order to find out if a number is active or in service. Spoofing refers to individuals or organizations faking the source of the call. They might make the call look like it is coming from the same town or area where the person receiving the call lives. The FCC is trying to stop these problems.
4. Telehealth Technology
According to the FCC, another one of the commission’s initiatives is telehealth technology. This refers to the use of telecommunications in the delivery of healthcare services. Telehealth has been used in emergency care such as stroke diagnosis and evaluation for more than 10 years. The commission seeks to expand its use and make it more accessible and affordable. The FCC would like to see telehealth services available everywhere. This is especially important in rural areas where many hospitals have closed due to budget problems. Many rural areas have no easy way to get a person in a life-or-death situation to a trauma center, and telehealth could be an excellent alternative.
5. Accessible Communications for Everyone
The Accessible Communications for Everyone initiative is focused around increasing and improving access to communications for people with disabilities. People who are speech-disabled, deaf and blind, hard of hearing or deaf may have difficulty or be unable to use traditional communications systems. The FCC is working to make assistive devices more affordable and available to the people who need them. The FCC is also working to decrease telephone access barriers for people with disabilities.
What the FCC does impacts every American’s life on an everyday basis, but they might not realize how big that impact is. Becoming familiar with the actions and policies of the FCC could help a person in their career or in their personal life when they need to advocate for a change. Understanding these five great FCC initiatives is a good first step in learning more about the USA’s communications system, infrastructure and rules.