Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC VOTES TO ESTABLISH OFFICE OF ECONOMICS & 
ANALYTICS
Agency Will Formally Integrate Economics and Analytics Into Its Policymaking
  -- 
WASHINGTON, January 30, 2018—The Federal Communications Commission today voted 
to create an FCC Office of Economics and Analytics.  This new unit will help ensure that 
economic analysis is deeply and consistently incorporated as part of the agency’s regular 
operations.
The Office of Economics and Analytics will use existing staff resources by bringing into one 
office FCC economists, attorneys, and data professionals who work on economic analysis, data 
policy and management, and research.  In support of and in coordination with other FCC 
bureaus and offices, this new office will provide economic analysis for rulemakings, 
transactions, adjudications, and other Commission actions.  It will manage the FCC’s auctions 
program, and it also will manage significant FCC data collections such as Form 477.  It will 
develop policies and strategies to manage the FCC’s data resources and establish best practices 
for use throughout the agency.  In addition, it will conduct long-term research on ways to 
improve the Commission’s policies and processes. 
The new office will include four divisions: economic analysis, industry analysis, auctions, and 
data.  The Economic Analysis Division will provide the Commission with analytical and 
quantitative support.  The Industry Analysis Division will be the FCC’s principal resource for 
designing and administering significant, economically-relevant data collections.  The Auctions 
Division will lead the agency’s work in auction design and implementation issues, including 
for spectrum and universal service auctions.  The Data Division will help develop and 
implement best practices, processes, and standards for data management to meet the 
Commission’s needs.
This plan incorporates the proposals from a recent staff report by a working group which 
studied the idea of creating an office focused on economics.  FCC staff worked for months to 
put forward a comprehensive report on how such an office would function, how best to 
integrate it into the FCC’s work, and how to implement such a plan.  The agency will be 
eliminating the current Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis and incorporating that 
team and other bureau and office staff into the new office.  
Action by the Commission January 30, 2018 by Order (FCC 18-7).  Chairman Pai, 
Commissioners O’Rielly and Carr approving.  Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel 
dissenting.  Chairman Pai, Commissioners Clyburn, O’Rielly, Carr and Rosenworcel issuing 
separate statements.
MD Docket No. 18-3
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).