Forensic Engineering Practice Before the Federal Communications Commission

Abstract

Although licensed and regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, most telecommunication facilities in the United States are privately owned. In cases where competing interests vie for mutually exclusive facilities, the FCC is empowered to conduct administrative hearings to determine which of several applicants proposals will best serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity and will therefore be granted. Engineers practicing before the Commission are often called upon to provide expert testimony and analysis of pending technical matters during the Commissions administrative proceedings. This specialized area of FE practice and its distinguishing aspects will be discussed and illustrated using an actual case as an example.