FCC Makes 2019 Budget Requests, Sets Forth Five-Year Strategic Plan

Budget

President TRUMP's proposed fiscal year 2019 budget includes a request by the FCC for $333,118,000 in budget authority from regulatory fee offsetting collections, down 6% from 2018's $354,288,568.  In addition, the Commission is asking for $112,734,000 in budget authority for the spectrum auctions program, down 3%, and has requested 1,448 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) positions funded by budget authority from both the regulatory fees offsetting collections and the spectrum auctions program, flat from 2018's level request.

In its request and in a "Strategic Plan for 2018-2022," the Commission restates its four strategic goals as closing the digital divide, promoting innovation, protecting consumers and public safety, and process reform.  Introducing the Strategic Plan, Chairman AJIT PAI said, "Our strategic vision centers on bringing the benefits of the digital age to all Americans.  Broadband opens doors to opportunity in almost every aspect of modern American life.  It helps give rise to the democratization of entrepreneurship, so that anyone with a powerful plan and a digital connection can raise capital, start a business and reach a global customer base.  It enables education, providing access to valuable learning resources regardless of one’s location.  It helps improve healthcare services, promoting better communication between patients and providers, and enabling telemedicine for those in rural or remote areas.  It creates opportunities for civic involvement and social connection that were unforeseeable only a generation or two ago."

The TRUMP budget included the administration's infrastructure plan, which relies heavily on shifting the burden of paying for infrastructure improvements to state and local governments and taxpayers and public-private partnerships; the plan also included implementation of 5G networks in its oversight.  FCC Chairman AJIT PAI said, “Too often, regulatory barriers make it harder and more expensive to build out broadband than it needs to be—to the detriment of American consumers.  That’s why this plan is a welcome and strong call to action.  I stand ready to work with the Administration and Congress to turn this plan into a reality as we continue to bridge the digital divide and extend 5G digital opportunity to all Americans.”  Commissioner BRENDAN CARR added, "To win the global race to 5G, we must fundamentally reform our infrastructure deployment rules. It is great to see the Administration’s infrastructure plan put a priority on efforts that would expedite deployment. We must ensure that our regulatory structures are 5G Ready."

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