Opening Remarks of Commissioner Ajit Pai At Ohio Association Of Broadcasters’ AM Radio Town Hall

We all know that the AM band is facing some big challenges. That’s why back in 2012 I proposed that the Federal Communications Commission launch an AM Radio Revitalization Initiative.

One year later, the FCC took the first step by announcing a comprehensive review of our AM radio regulations.

One thing is clear: While there are many issues at the FCC that are controversial, AM radio isn’t one of them. So the time for action is now. By Halloween, my goal is for the FCC to adopt AM revitalization reforms that do two things.

First, we should adopt the proposals the FCC outlined in 2013, with appropriate tweaks.

Second, we need to ask the public to comment on a new batch of specific proposals for improving our AM radio rules. We need to discuss whether there is still a demand for skywave, whether the FCC should pave the way for the use of synchronous transmission systems on the AM dial, and finally, whether we have reached the point where AM stations should be allowed to go all-digital on a voluntary basis.