FCC Approves Low Power FM Radio Service

The FCC voted today to create a class of radio stations designed to serve very localized communities or underrepresented groups within communities by authorizing two new classes of noncommercial low power FM radio services (LPFM). In authorizing the new services - 1. LP 100, with power from 50-100 watts and service radius of about 3.5 miles; and - 2. LP 10, with power from 1-10 watts and a service radius of about 1 to 2 miles - the Commission said it is adopting interference protection requirements based on distance separation between stations to preserve the integrity and technical excellence of existing FM service and to not impede the ability of existing radio stations to transistion to digital transmission capabilities. The Commission said the new service would enhance community-oriented radio broadcasting. Broad national interest in LPFM was demonstrated by the thousands of comments received from state and local government entities, religious groups, students, labor unions, community organizations, musicians, and others supporting the introduction of a new LPFM service. The Commission said that to prevent interference, it will impose station separation requirements between new LPFM and existing radio stations on co, 1st and 2nd adjacent and intermediate frequency (IF) channels, but will not impose 3rd adjacent separation requirements because the engineering data and tests in the proceeding demonstrated that 100 watt LPFM service will not cause any unacceptable levels of interference to existing radio stations separated by three channels. The Commission said a noncommercial service will be the best way to bring additional diversity to radio broadcasting and serve local community needs in a focused manner with LPFM stations. Eligible licenses can be noncommercial government or private educational organizations, associations or entities; non-profit entities with education purposes; or government or non-profit entities providing local public safety or transportation services. However, LPFM licenses will be awarded throughout the FM radio band and will not be limited to the channels reserved for use by noncommercial educational radio stations. For the first two years, no entity will be permitted to operate more than one LPFM station nationwide. After the second year, eligible entities will be able to own up to five stations natiowide, and after three years, up to ten nationwide. LPFM stations will be licensed for eight-year, renewable terms. These licenses will not be transferable. Licensees will receive four-letter call signs with the letters LP appended. Applications will be accepted in designated filing windows. The first filing window to be opened will be for LP-100 licenses. After the bulk of these applications have been processed, the Commission will open a filing window for applications for LP-10 licenses. LPFM stations will be required to broadcast a minimum of 36 hours per week, the same requirement imposed on full power noncommercial educational licensees. They will be subject to statutory rules, such as sponsorship identification, political programming, prohibitions of airing obscene or indecent programming, and requirements to provide periodic call sign announcements, and will be required to participate in the national Emergency Alert System. Additional information on the LPFM application process will be available on the FCC's LPFM website at www.fcc.gov/mmb/prd/lpfm or interested parties can call the FCC's toll free telephone number 1-888-CALLFCC (1-888-225-5322)

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