Final answer:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for regulating all radio communications in the United States, overseeing standards, frequencies, licenses, and ensuring public safety in the communications sector.
Step-by-step explanation:
All radio communications in the United States are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC is an independent agency of the U.S. government created by Congressional statute to regulate interstate communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
Originally established by the Communications Act of 1934, it has evolved to address the complexities of modern communication technologies, including broadband and the spectrum. The agency plays a significant role in ensuring public safety, promoting competition, and fostering innovation in the communications sector of the American economy.
The FCC's responsibilities include licensing radio and television broadcasters, which is necessary because American law states that the public owns the airwaves. The commission works to set standards, assign frequencies, and license stations to prevent signal interference and promote orderly broadcast services.
Furthermore, as the overseer of communications in the U.S., the FCC also imposes regulations to prevent monopolies, censor inappropriate materials, and ensure that communications services meet public safety and homeland security needs. With a reach that extends to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, the FCC is at the forefront of managing the nation's communications infrastructure.