Federal Communications Commission
US federal regulator of radio spectrum, telecoms, broadcast licences, and wireless device certification.
On 11 September, the Federal Communications Commission published a rule that takes effect on 13 October, extending its drone-security controls to devices containing listed control chips.
Last refreshed: 1 October 2026 · Appears in 3 active topics
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Timeline for Federal Communications Commission
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Media's AI PivotBackground
The Federal Communications Commission is the US federal regulator for interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. It licenses spectrum use, regulates broadcast licence holders and authorises wireless equipment for the US market. Its equipment-certification powers can determine whether a manufacturer may introduce a transmitting device in the country.
the Commission combines technical regulation with market-access authority. Its Covered List process shows how a security finding can affect new wireless hardware, while its broadcast-licence review can impose a distinct check on corporate ownership after competition authorities have acted.
That breadth makes the FCC significant well beyond telecoms policy. Decisions about spectrum, device approval and broadcast ownership can shape which companies sell equipment, operate networks or control licensed US media assets.
FCC expands drone controls
On 11 September, the Federal Communications Commission published a component rule due to take effect on 13 October. It blocks approval of devices using control chips made by firms on its security list, extending the commission's role beyond finished foreign-made drones.
The rule builds on the Covered List action of 22 December 2025, when the Commission blocked DJI and Autel Robotics from certifying new foreign-manufactured drones for the US market. That made device certification a tool of national-security policy, not merely a technical approval process.
FCC reviews foreign ownership
On 18 June, the Federal Communications Commission began reviewing Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery after Department of Justice clearance. The combined broadcaster's 49.5 per cent foreign ownership placed its broadcast licences within the commission's remit.
On 1 July, chair Brendan Carr let a Senate Deadline pass while awaiting Team Telecom's assessment. The episode showed that the Commission can hold up a major media transaction even after antitrust clearance, because broadcast-licence ownership raises a separate statutory test.