In an effort to modernize, the Federal Communications Commission is asking for input on what information it should be collecting and using for decision-making.
The Commission’s Wireline, Wireless and Media Bureaus have released public notices seeking input on what current data collections should be eliminated, what new ones should be added and how existing collections can be improved.
The FCC is calling the process its Data Innovation Initiative, which it described as part of a comprehensive reform effort that is improving the agency’s fact-based, data-driven decision-making.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski established a new, cross-bureau data team and has created the position of chief data officer to oversee that team and manage the process. Greg Elin, associate managing director of new media at the FCC, was named to fulfill the role.
“Smart policies depend on quality data, and public data should be accessible to the public in meaningful ways using modern digital tools,” Genachowski said.
Separately, Genachowski rehired Douglas Sicker, this time as the FCC’s chief technologist. Sicker will reside in the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis and will advise the agency on technological issues.
During Sicker’s last stint at the FCC, he served as chief of the Network Technology Division. In between he was director of global architecture at Level 3 Communications and is currently associate professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
