FCC Moves to Promote Low Power Radio

FCC MOVES TO PROMOTE LOW POWER RADIO
[SOURCE: Federal Communications Commission]
The Federal Communications Commission adopted a wide-ranging series of ownership, eligibility and technical rules and sought comment on additional technical matters in the Low Power FM Third Report and Order (Order) and Second Noticed of Proposed Rule. In the Order, the Commission adopts a number of rules and policies designed to foster and protect LPFM radio service which creates opportunities for new voices on the airwaves and to allow local groups, including schools, churches, and other community-based organizations, to provide programming responsive to local community needs and interests. The Commission's action includes changes to strengthen and promote the long-term viability of the LPFM service, and the localism and diversity goals that this service is intended to advance. In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking the Commission: 1) Seeks comment on technical rules that could potentially expand LPFM licensing opportunities; 2) Tentatively concludes that full service stations must provide technical and financial assistance to LPFM stations when implementation of a full service station facility proposal would cause interference to an LPFM station; 3) Tentatively concludes that the Commission should adopt a contour-based protection methodology to expand LPFM licensing opportunities; 4) Intends to address the issues in the FNPRM within 6 months, and that the next filing window for a non-tabled aural licensed service will be for LPFM; and 5) Recommends to Congress that it remove the requirement that LPFM stations protect full-power stations operating on third adjacent channels.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278449A1.doc

* Chairman Martin: "In order to ensure that the American people have the benefit of a competitive and diverse media marketplace that serves their local communities, we need to create more opportunities for different, new and independent voices to be heard. We need to address the concern that there are too few local outlets available to minorities and new entrants."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278449A2.doc

* Commissioner Copps: "[L]ow power radio is such a breath of fresh air. It is a positive response to what ails us. These are truly local stations run by local organizations. They provide an outlet for local voices and local talent. They cover issues of importance to local and very often under-served communities. Low power is truly radio of the people, by the people, and for the people. We cannot let it perish from the earth."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278449A3.doc

* Commissioner Adelstein: "One of the central goals of the Commission is to promote a fair and equitable use of the broadcast spectrum and to expand opportunities to new voices, such as community-based schools, churches and civic organizations. Establishing LPFM stations, particularly as a noncommercial educational service, to allow these local groups to provide programming that is responsive to local community needs and interests, is one of the most effective ways this Commission can promote such goals. As the record shows, LPFM stations are serving very localized communities and underrepresented groups within communities. Today's reforms should permit LPFM to continue to live up to this dream."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278449A4.doc

* Commissioner Tate: "[I]t would seem appropriate to wait on their instruction before moving forward, especially before moving beyond what is included in the legislation regarding 3rd adjacent channel interference. I also think that we should have a rational basis for setting the standards for Low Power FM, perhaps using the minimum operating guidelines for the required number of hours of operation. Regarding the applications for additional translators, again, I would have preferred a more measured approach, rather than an 80% cut: from 50 to 10. Finally, enhancing the status of Low Power FM licensees as compared to full power FM stations, or creating new status and protections, is beyond the scope of the NPRM and is more appropriately addressed in the Further Notice we are issuing today. Such a sweeping change by an agency should require further notice, consideration, and comment."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278449A5.doc

* Commissioner McDowell: "I dissent in part on three specific issues involving both process and substance. First, the Order adopted by the majority jumps ahead of the rulemaking proceeding by adopting interim processing policies for the second-adjacent channel waivers immediately.... Secondly, the majority amends our rules to establish a licensing presumption to protect certain operating LPFM stations from subsequently proposed city of license modifications where there would be no alternate channel available to the LPFM station. Adopting this rule at this juncture is a radical departure from prior Commission precedent made without sufficient public notice.... Lastly, we limit further processing of FM translator applications submitted during our Auction 83 filing window to 10 proposals per applicant. This number is much too low. It is lower even than the numbers suggested by LPFM advocacy groups in the record. The result is that the service provided by FM translators in many unserved areas may suffer interference."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-278449A6.doc

* Prometheus Radio Project Congratulates FCC on Improving LPFM Radio Service
"Today, Chairman Martin and Commissioners Adelstein and Copps should be congratulated for moving to protect and expand low power FM radio – while also understanding that there are many issues we can resolve through further research and conversation. The Federal Communications Commission has taken a number of important steps today towards a better future for low power radio stations and their communities. We appreciate the partial support of Commissioners Mcdowell and Tate, and feel confident that the concerns they raised are addressable to their satisfaction."
http://prometheusradio.org/content/view/580/1/

* Media Access Project Secures Big Win for LPFM
"LPFM advocates have waited a long time for the Commission to act on expanding and preserving the LPFM service. The Commission's action goes a long way in doing just that. Chairman Martin rarely agrees with us, but he was willing to listen, and to work with us to get a fine result. He should be congratulated for recognizing the critical service that LPFM stations provide to the needs of local communities and taking the necessary steps that will help bring more LPFM radio stations to communities throughout the country."
http://www.mediaaccess.org/press/2007-11-28-LPFMPressRelease.pdf