MUMBAI: The US President George Bush has submitted a budget to Congress that proposes fiscal year 2007 funding for the media regulatory body Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of $302,542,000.

The requested 2007 funding level would provide sufficient funds to cover mandatory increases in salaries and benefits and inflationary increases for office space rental, supplies, printing, postage, and contractual services. It would also provide for funding to conduct an outreach campaign to educate consumers about the impact and benefits of the transition to Digital Television (DTV).

In addition, the requested funding level would allow the FCC to replace Mobile Digital Direction Finding (MDDF) vehicles that are used to support public safety entities (e.g., emergency responders, police, fire departments) in the resolution of harmful interference to their communications systems and to expand its oversight of the Universal Service Fund.