Unleashing innovation: making the FCC user‐friendly

PurposeThis paper aims to describe a case study of the FCC, dealing with relieving the tension between technical innovation and the regulation of applications of technology.Design/methodology/approachThe author's experience as Chief Scientist of the FCC is used to show how the innovations of the information age were accommodated under the procedures governing the regulation of communications.FindingsThe success of the rapid introduction of digital information technology and networking, replacing analog telephony and inflexible technical rules governing the use of the electromagnetic spectrum, resulted from relatively minor modifications in staffing of a technical planning office lacking currency with the innovations in the technology supporting the communication and broadcasting industries. The support of the chairman, the commissioners, and their confidence in the leadership of the office were critical to success.Originality/valueLeading a regulatory agency to helping rather than hindering progress speaks for itself.