Creation of a Low Power Radio Service; Amendment of Service and Eligibility Rules for FM Broadcast Translator Stations

Resumen

In this document, the Commission considers how the recently enacted Local Community Radio Act ("LCRA") will impact future LPFM and translator station licensing. Section 5 of the Act requires the Commission to ensure that: Licenses are available for both LPFM and translator stations; licensing decisions are based on community needs; and translator and LPFM stations remain equal in status. The item tentatively finds that a previously adopted cap on translator applications is inconsistent with the LCRA's directives. It considers three alternate processing schemes, and tentatively concludes that a market-specific processing policy would most faithfully implement section 5's directives. The item sets forth proposed LPFM channel floors for the top 150 markets, and proposes to dismiss all translator applications in markets where the number of available LPFM channels is below the channel floor. The item also considers whether the Commission should take additional steps to prevent the trafficking of translator construction permits, and whether translators from Auction No. 83 should be allowed to rebroadcast the signals of AM stations at night.