FCC Consider Rules for the Digital Transition of Low Power Television Stations

On Sept 17, the Federal Communications Commission issued a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to consider issues that need to be resolved to complete the low power television station digital transition.

Those issues include:
1) whether to adopt a hard deadline during 2012 for the termination of analog low power television facilities;
2) whether to require existing analog and digital low power television stations in the 700 MHz band (channels 52-69) to cease operations by a date certain and to submit displacement applications or discontinue operations altogether;
3) whether to delegate to the Media Bureau the authority to establish timeframes and procedures for stations "flash cutting" to digital on their existing analog channels and for those operating digital companion channels to return one of their channels;
4) whether to widen the class of low power television broadcasters subject to the Commission's ancillary and supplementary fee rules;
5) whether to modify the Commission's minor change rule so that it covers a proposed change in a low power television station's transmitter site of up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the reference coordinates of the station's transmitting antenna;
6) whether to revise the vertical antenna patterns used in the prediction methodology for the low power television services; and
7) whether to allow low power television stations to use the emission mask used by full power television stations.

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps warned that this will be a complex undertaking. "Its success will depend upon close partnering between the private and public sectors; it will require effective consumer outreach and providing assistance to consumers who need help to transition their televisions to accommodate digital technology. And it also will call for good technical knowledge, adequate signal testing, and taking into consideration the myriad factors that can influence TV reception in diverse geographical settings," he said. "By launching this proceeding we are not only attempting to complete the digital television transition, but we are also beginning the next phase of low power television. In many communities these low power stations provide unique local content, sometimes in diverse languages, and they furnish much-needed independent programming in many corners of the country. Low-power television serves the public interest-and that should be all the motivation we need to ensure a smooth digital transition and, going forward, an environment that contributes to the growing vibrancy of low-power television."

Commissioner Copps urged all interested parties to respond to this Further Notice in order to get the best information and analysis possible to guide our ongoing and future decision-making in this endeavor.