FCC OKs Upping Digital Radio Power

The Federal Communication Commission's Media Bureau adopted an Order that permits FM radio stations to voluntarily increase digital power levels up to ten percent of analog power levels and establishes interference mitigation and remediation procedures to promptly resolve complaints of interference to analog stations. These rule changes will substantially boost digital signal coverage while safeguarding analog reception against interference from higher power digital transmissions.

The Bureau Order will:

• Permit most FM stations to immediately increase digital power by 6 dB, a four-fold power increase;
• Limit power increases for stations currently licensed in excess of class maximums, i.e., "super-powered" stations, to protect analog radio service from interference;
• Establish application procedures for power increases up to 10 dB;
• Establish interference remediation procedures that require the Media Bureau to resolve each bona fide dispute or impose tiered power reductions within 90 days; and
• Reserve the right to revisit the issue of digital power levels if significant interference results to analog reception.