Media Contact: 
Mark Wigfield (202) 418-0253
mark.wigfield@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC RECEIVES FINAL APPROVALS FOR NEW 
OFFICE OF ECONOMICS AND ANALYTICS

WASHINGTON, October 25, 2018—The Federal Communications Commission has received all approvals required to launch its new Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA).
The FCC earlier this year voted to create OEA to better integrate the use of economics and data into its rulemakings and other proceedings.  This reorganization of the agency required approval from the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the Office of Management and Budget.  It also required the FCC to reach an agreement with the National Treasury Employees Union.  All of these steps have now been completed.
This clears the way for the office to become operational by the end of this year.  OEA will bring together FCC economists, data professionals, and attorneys from across the agency, enabling them to work closely to improve economic analysis and data usage in agency proceedings.
“I’m excited that we are in the final stages of standing up the Office of Economics and Analytics,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.  “Pursuant to the agreement that was reached with the union, we are committed to helping all FCC employees involved make a smooth transition to the new office.  I look forward to the new opportunities they will have to make sound economic thinking a cornerstone of FCC decisions.”
OEA will be staffed by approximately 100 employees drawn from bureaus and offices across the agency.  The Acting Chief will be Giulia McHenry, who recently joined the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis (OSP) after previously serving as Chief Economist at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.  OSP and its authorities and functions will shift to OEA.
For more information on the reorganization, visit https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-votes-establish-office-economics-analytics-0



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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).