<P> The Federal Communications Commission furloughed about 98% of its 1,754 employees . The FCC stopped work on its approvals of mergers in the telecommunications and broadcast television industries . The list of deals that were subject to delays included Verizon Communications' $130 billion purchase of Vodafone's stake in Verizon Wireless, AT&T's $1.2 billion purchase of Leap Wireless, Gannett Company's $1.5 billion purchase of Belo, Tribune Company's $2.7 billion purchase of Local TV and Sinclair Broadcast Group's $985 million purchase of Allbritton Communications Company . </P> <P> The shutdown led the FCC to delay the January 2014 wireless spectrum auction by a week . Permits for radio masts and towers and license processing for radio stations were delayed and the FCC did not respond to consumer complaints . </P> <P> The FCC suspended work on the testing and approval of new wireless products, such as cell phones . A prolonged government shutdown might have delayed the release of new products . </P> <P> Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) were affected in the shutdown . The Aerospace Corporation, which is the FFRDC for national security space, was directed to issue a stop work order to all but mission - critical tasks by United States Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, effectively furloughing 2,000 of its 3,500 employees . </P>

The groups most affected by a government agencys regulations and programs are