§  0.21   Functions of the Office.

   The Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis, as a staff office
   to the Commission, assists, advises and makes recommendations to the
   Commission with respect to the development and implementation of
   communications policies in all areas of Commission authority and
   responsibility. A principal function of the Office is to conduct
   independent policy analyses to assess the long-term effects of
   alternative Commission policies on domestic and international
   communication industries and services, with due consideration of the
   responsibilities and programs of other staff units, and to recommend
   appropriate Commission action. The Office is also responsible for
   coordinating the policy research and development activities of other
   staff units, with special concern for matters which transcend their
   individual areas of responsibility. The Office is composed of legal,
   engineering, economic, and sociological policy analysts and other
   personnel, and is headed by a chief having the following duties and
   responsibilities:

   (a) To identify and define significant communications policy issues in
   all areas of Commission interest and responsibility;

   (b) To conduct technical, economic, and sociological impact studies of
   existing and proposed communications policies and operations, including
   cooperative studies with other staff units and consultant and contract
   efforts as appropriate;

   (c) To develop and evaluate alternative policy options and approaches
   for consideration by the Commission;

   (d) To review and comment on all significant actions proposed to be
   taken by the Commission in terms of their overall policy implications;

   (e) To recommend and evaluate governmental (state and federal),
   academic, and industry sponsored research affecting Commission policy
   issues;

   (f) To prepare briefings, position papers, proposed Commission actions,
   or other agenda items as appropriate;

   (g) To manage the Commission's policy research program, recommend
   budget levels and priorities for this program, and serve as central
   account manager for all contractual policy research studies funded by
   the Commission;

   (h) To coordinate the formation and presentation of Commission
   positions in communications policy; represent the Commission at
   appropriate discussions and conferences.

   (i) Develop and recommend procedures and plans for the effective
   handling of policy issues within the Commission.

   (j) To help ensure that FCC policy encourages and promotes competitive
   market structures by providing bureaus and offices with the necessary
   support to identify, evaluate, and effectively and consistently resolve
   competitiveness issues.

   [ 38 FR 17005 , June 28, 1973, as amended at  45 FR 25400 , Apr. 15, 1980;
    51 FR 12615 , Apr. 14, 1986;  60 FR 5323 , Jan. 27, 1995;  64 FR 5950 , Feb.
   8, 1999;  68 FR 11747 , Mar. 12, 2003]

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