- LOW POWER FM (LPFM) REFERS TO A NEW FM
RADIO SERVICE PROPOSED BY THE FCC.
If adopted, the proposal would create one or more
new classes of service in the existing FM radio band. The FCC
has proposed to license 1000-watt stations, which would serve
areas with a radius of approximately 8.8 miles, and 100-watt
stations, which would serve areas with a radius of 3.5 miles.
The Commission also sought comment on whether to license stations
between 1 and 10 watts, which would serve areas with 1 to 2
mile radii. Currently, in most circumstances, commercial FM
radio stations will be licensed only if they can operate at
a power of 6000 watts without causing interference at the selected
location and channel, although stations may be permitted to
go on the air with as little as 100 watts.
- THE FCC HAS RECEIVED THOUSANDS OF INQUIRIES
ABOUT LOW POWER RADIO FROM CITIZENS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
Hundreds of favorable comments were filed in
response to a preliminary FCC proceeding, and thousands of Internet
inquiries have been made by citizens from across the country.
Dozens of newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, Boston
Globe and Nashville Tennessean, have voiced support for low
power radio. Cities, elementary schools, universities, Native
American tribes, independent musicians, churches, entrepreneurs,
and various minority groups have all come out in favor of Low
Power FM. The National Association of Broadcasters and others
in the broadcast industry have voiced opposition to the FCC's
proposal, contending that a change in the interference standards
will harm current stations and their listeners and also may
jeopardize a transition to digital radio.
- THE FCC IS NOT PROPOSING TO LICENSE RADIO
"PIRATES."
The FCC has proposed to apply the same character
qualifications to LPFM broadcasters that apply to full power
broadcasters. The character qualifications, if adopted, may
disqualify license applicants who have intentionally and persistently
violated longstanding prohibitions against unlicensed broadcasting.
Where unlicensed broadcasters persisted in operating after the
Commission took action against them, the Commission has proposed
that those broadcasters be deemed per se unqualified for LPFM
licenses. The Commission, however, seeks comment on whether
illegal broadcasters who ceased operation after being advised
of an enforcement action should be eligible for LPFM licenses.
- THE FCC DOES NOT EXPECT LOW POWER FM
STATIONS TO INTERFERE WITH THE SERVICE AREAS OF EXISTING RADIO
STATIONS.
Traditionally, the FCC has allotted FM stations
by requiring specified distance separations between stations
on the same channel and three pairs of adjacent channels. The
use of distance separations for determining channel allotments
has proven to be an effective and straightforward means for
maintaining the technical integrity of the FM radio service.
As a result, FM stations have a service area within which their
signals are "protected" from interference by other stations.
The FCC has sought comment on whether it should consider reduced
interference standards for the LPFM service by not requiring
LPFM stations to protect stations operating on the third adjacent
channels and possibly the second adjacent channels. The Commission
has stated that the relatively low maximum power levels of the
proposed LPFM suggest that these relaxed standards may pose
only a minimal risk of interference to existing services, especially
if the Commission were to impose additional technical factors
to reduce further their interference potential. The FCC will
examine the interference issue very carefully and will not adopt
any action to cause undue interference or impede the development
of terrestrial digital radio. Frequently Asked Questions About
Low Power FM Radio
