If, and to what extent, the role of the Federal Communications Commission and state regulatory bodies should be modified as networks transition from a circuit-switched to an Internet Protocol network and how to ensure that the core values (e.g., consumer protection, public safety, disability access, and competition) are preserved in this new environment are also being addressed. The impact of broadband deployment on the media sector as consumers change their viewing patterns and adopt new delivery technologies is also central to the debate. The allocation and regulation of radio-frequency spectrum has also become a crucial component in the policy debate. Additionally, the 113 th Congress may choose to examine existing regulatory structure and consider possible revision of the 1996 Telecommunications Act and its underlying statute, the Communications Act of 1934. Both the convergence of telecommunications providers and markets and the transition to an Internet protocol (IP) based network have, according to a growing number of policymakers, made it necessary to consider revising the current regulatory framework. On June 20, 2012, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting released a report, Alternative Sources of Funding for Public Broadcasting Stations. Previous Congresses have passed key laws to improve emergency communications. For Further Information
CRS Report RS20783, Broadband Deployment: Legal Issues for the Siting of Wireless Communications Facilities and Amendments to the Pole Attachment Rule , by [author name scrubbed]. For Further Information
CRS Report R42351, Internet Governance and the Domain Name System: Issues for Congress , by [author name scrubbed]. Reauthorization of Statutory Copyright and Communications Provisions in the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act10

The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA, P.L. Spectrum policy issues that may be addressed in the 113 th Congress include assuring that new capacity is made available for wireless broadband. 151].) 104-104 ; 47 U.S.C., 1996 act) codified the long-standing commitment by U.S. policymakers to ensure universal service in the provision of telecommunications services (§254), and the FCC established, in 1997, a federal Universal Service Fund (USF) to meet the objectives and principles contained in the act.
The passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act (P.L. 104-104) resulted in a major revision of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) to address the emergence of competition in what were previously considered to be monopolistic markets. Since its passage, however, the advancement of broadband technology to supply data, voice, and video; the growing convergence of the telecommunications and media sectors; and the growth in demand for usable radio-frequency spectrum has led to a consensus that the laws that govern these sectors have become inadequate to address this rapidly changing environment and have, according to a growing number of policymakers, made it necessary to consider revising the current regulatory framework.
This report provides an overview of selected topics that, while far from a definitive list, provide a broad overview of issues that are central to the telecommunications/media convergence debate. The issues covered in this report include broadband deployment, broadband regulation and access, broadcast media ownership rules, funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, emergency communications, legal issues regarding facilities siting, Federal Communications Commission oversight and reform, Internet governance and the domain name system, reauthorization of statutory copyright and communications provisions in the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act, spectrum policy and wireless broadband deployment, and Universal Service Fund reform.
Rather than addressing the specific legislative, regulatory, and industry activities, this report provides an overview of these major issues. The CRS products listed under "for further information," found at the end of each issue topic, should be used to expand upon the issue, provide an update of relevant events, track congressional activity, and identify CRS analysts who are knowledgeable in these issue areas. This report will be updated occasionally.