Responsibilities, Actions, and Coordination of Federal Agencies in International Telecommunications Services

The use of international telecommunications is of vital importance to the United States. In addition to the commercial considerations, international diplomatic and economic activity, military preparedness, and cultural exchange all depend on an adequate network of international telecommunications facilities and services.

The four federal agencies involved in the development of plans and policies for international telecommunications services are the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Department of State, the Office of Telecommunications Policy (OTP), and the Department of Commerce. FCC has a broad range of regulatory responsibilities in the area of international communications, including the authority to approve facility authorizations, service offerings, and tariffs filed by U.S. common carriers on the basis of agreements reached with foreign telecommunications entities. OTP advises the President on international telecommunications matters and coordinates executive branch policy. Commerce conducts technical research and analysis in international telecommunications to support OTP, and State is involved primarily through its concern with the conduct of U.S. foreign relations.