47 CFR Part 74, Subpart L - FM Broadcast Translator Stations and FM Broadcast Booster Stations

In this Report and Order, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted rules to allow full power and Class A stations with auction-related channel sharing agreements (CSAs) to become sharees outside of the incentive auction context so that they can continue to operate if their auction-related CSAs expire or otherwise terminate. The Commission also adopted rules to allow all low power television and TV translator stations (secondary stations) to share a channel with another secondary station or with a full power or Class A station. This action will assist secondary stations that are displaced by the incentive auction and the repacking process to continue to operate in the post-auction television bands. The rules adopted in this R&O will enhance the benefits of channel sharing for broadcasters without imposing significant burdens on multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs).

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements associated with the Commission's Second Report and Order, Revitalization of the AM Radio Service, FCC 17-14. This document is consistent with the Second Report and Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and the effective date of the rules.

This document amends the Commission's rule setting forth the allowable location of an FM translator station rebroadcasting the signal of an AM broadcast station. It changes the rule so that an AM broadcaster has a greater area in which an FM translator rebroadcasting the AM signal may be located, giving AM broadcasters greater flexibility in reaching their listeners. The change is necessary to accommodate AM radio stations located far from their communities of license, or those with highly directional signal patterns.

A Petition for Reconsideration (Petition) has been filed in the Commission's rulemaking proceeding by William J. Kirsch.

In this Report and Order, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) extends its streamlined foreign ownership rules and procedures that apply to common carrier and certain aeronautical licensees under Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”) to broadcast licensees, with certain modifications to tailor them to the broadcast context. The Commission also reforms the methodology used by both common carrier and broadcast licensees that are, or are controlled by, U.S. public companies to assess compliance with the 20 percent foreign ownership limit in Section 310(b)(3), and the 25 percent foreign ownership benchmark in Section 310(b)(4) of the Act, in order to reduce regulatory burdens on applicants and licensees. Finally, the Commission makes certain technical corrections and clarifications to its foreign ownership rules.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, certain information collection requirements associated with the Commission's Low Power Television Digital Rules Report and Order, FCC 15-175. This document is consistent with the Low Power Television Digital Rules Report and Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and the effective date of the rule.

Petitions for Reconsideration (Petitions) have been filed in the Commission's rulemaking proceeding by: Lawrence M. Miller, on behalf of Public Broadcasting Parties, Sylvia Strobel, on behalf of American Public Media Group, Todd D. Gray, on behalf of NCE Licensees and Joseph B. Porter, on behalf of The State University of New York.

In this document, the Commission refines the collection of data reported on FCC Form 323, Ownership Report for Commercial Broadcast Stations, and FCC Form 323-E, Ownership Report for Noncommercial Broadcast Stations. Specifically, the Commission implements a Restricted Use FRN (RUFRN) within the Commission's Registration System (CORES) that individuals may use solely for the purpose of broadcast ownership report filings; eliminates the availability of the Special Use FRN (SUFRN) for broadcast station ownership reports, except in very limited circumstances; prescribes revisions to Form 323-E that conform reporting for noncommercial educational (NCE) broadcast stations more closely to those for commercial stations; and makes a number of significant changes to its reporting requirements that reduce the filing burdens on broadcasters, streamline the process, and improve data quality. These enhancements will enable the Commission to obtain data reflecting a more useful, accurate, and thorough assessment of minority and female broadcast station ownership in the United States while reducing certain filing burdens.

On February 12, 2016, the Commission published a summary of Commission's document, Report No. 3037, 81 FR 7491, announcing that oppositions to Petitions for Reconsideration must been filed by February 29, 2016, and replies to an opposition must be filed on or before March 25, 2016. This document corrects the due date for replies to an opposition.

Petitions for Reconsideration (Petitions) have been filed in the Commission's Rulemaking proceeding by Howard S. Shapiro, on behalf of Audio-Technica U.S., Inc., Laura Stefani, on behalf of Sennheiser Electronic Corp., Paul Margie, on behalf of Google Inc., Paula Boyd, on behalf of Microsoft Corporation, Stephen E. Coran, on behalf of Wireless Internet Service Providers Association, Rick Kaplan, on behalf of National Association of Broadcasters, Lawrence J. Movshin, on behalf of WMTS Coalition, Catherine Wang, on behalf of Shure Incorporated, Ari Q. Fitzgerald, on behalf GE Healthcare, Gordon Moore, on behalf of Lectrosonics, Inc. and Telecommunications Law Professionals PLLC, on behalf of Carlson Wireless Technologies, Inc. and Cal.net, Inc.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted several measures to facilitate the final conversion of low power television (LPTV) and TV translator stations to digital service. The Commission also adopted proposals to mitigate the potential impact of the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction and the repacking process on LPTV and TV translator stations and to help preserve the important services they provide.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (“Commission” or “FCC”) defines when and in what areas 600 MHz Band wireless licensees will be deemed to “commence operations” for the purpose of establishing when secondary and unlicensed users must cease operations and vacate the 600 MHz Band.

In this document, the Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), in which it sought comment on several proposals designed to revitalize the AM broadcast radio service, or to reduce burdens on AM broadcasters. The Commission further adopted a Notice of Inquiry (NOI), in which it sought comment on two proposals designed to revitalize the AM broadcast radio service. One of the proposals, regarding increased utilization of the AM expanded band, was suggested by several commenters in response to the NPRM in this proceeding, The second proposal, for relaxation of the Commission's main studio rules for AM stations, was suggested by a commenter and supported by others.

The Commission recently adopted rules to repurpose broadcast television spectrum for new wireless services via an incentive auction. This document modifies Commission rules for unlicensed wireless devices and wireless microphones in the reconstituted TV bands and the new 600 MHz band. This document modifies the Commission's rules for unlicensed operations in the frequency bands that are now and will continue to be allocated and assigned to broadcast television services (TV bands), including fixed and personal/portable white space devices and unlicensed wireless microphones. It adopts technical and operational rules for unlicensed devices and wireless microphones in the 600 MHz guard bands, including the duplex gap, and in the 600 MHz band that will be repurposed for new wireless services. It also adopts rules for fixed and personal/portable white space device operation on channel 37 and for the operation of unlicensed wireless microphones in the TV bands. This document modify the white space database rules to implement certain decisions, including protecting areas where new 600 MHz service licensees commence operation and areas used by incumbent services on channel 37.

In this document, the Commission takes several steps to accommodate the long-term needs of wireless microphone users. Wireless microphones play an important role in enabling broadcasters and other video programming networks to serve consumers, including as they cover breaking news and live sports events. They enhance event productions in a variety of settings—including theaters and music venues, film studios, conventions, corporate events, houses of worship, and internet webcasts. They also help create high quality content that consumers demand and value. In particular, the Commission provides additional opportunities for wireless microphone operations in the TV bands following the upcoming incentive auction, and provides new opportunities for wireless microphone operations to access spectrum in other frequency bands where they can share use of the bands without harming existing users.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) proposes to extend its foreign ownership rules and procedures that apply to common carrier licensees to broadcast licensees, with certain modifications to tailor them to the broadcast context. The Commission also seeks comment on whether and how to revise the methodology a licensee should use to assess its compliance with the 25 percent foreign ownership benchmark in section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, in order to reduce regulatory burdens on applicants and licensees. Finally, the Commission makes several proposals to clarify and update existing foreign ownership policies and procedures for broadcast, common carrier and aeronautical licensees.

In this document, the Media Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) provides notice of the revised comment and reply comment deadlines in this proceeding. The comment period in this proceeding has previously been suspended pending action in the Commission's incentive auction proceeding and the Media Bureau announces that it has been restarted and the new deadlines for filing comments and reply comments.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, certain information collection requirements associated with the Commission's Expanding the Economic and Innovation Opportunities of Spectrum Through Incentive Auctions Report and Order ( Incentive Auction Report and Order ), FCC 14-50. This document is consistent with the Incentive Auction Report and Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and the effective date of to the new information collection requirements.

The Federal Communications Commission (the Commission) acts to improve the Commission's efficiency, effectively manage Commission resources, and align the Commission's field enforcement activities with contemporary needs for a field enforcement presence. The Commission, the Office of Managing Director and the Enforcement Bureau will take several actions to realign the mission and resources of its 24 field offices. The Bureau's field offices will primarily support the enforcement of the Commission's radio frequency spectrum rules and other key regulations in a manner likely to have the greatest impact, in the most cost effective way possible.

In this document, the Commission proposes to designate a second available vacant channel in the UHF television band for use by white space devices and wireless microphones in those areas where the duplex gap of the 600 MHz Band is subject to impairment by a television station.

In this document, the Commission implemented allocation changes from the World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2007) (WRC-07) and updated related service rules. The Commission took this action in order to conform its rules, to the extent practical, to the decisions that the international community made at WRC-07. This action will promote the advancement of new and expanded services and provide significant benefits to the American people. In addition, the Commission revised the International Table of Frequency Allocations within its rules to generally reflect the allocation changes made at the World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2012) (WRC-12).

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) provides notice and an opportunity to comment on its plan to preserve one vacant television channel in the UHF television band in each area of the United States for shared use by white space devices and wireless microphones. The Commission recognizes that, following the Incentive Auction and repacking of the television bands, there will likely be fewer unused television channels available for use by either unlicensed white space devices or wireless microphones. These devices are important to businesses and consumers, and the Commission therefore seeks to ensure their continued viability.

In this document, the Media Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announced that, effective May 15, 2015, the September 1, 2015 digital transition date for low power television (LPTV) and TV translator stations is hereby suspended. The Commission will decide on a new transition date in the rulemaking proceeding in MB Docket No. 03-185. Until a decision is reached in the rulemaking and the Commission can determine the effect of the future incentive auction and repacking, LPTV and TV translator stations may delay completing construction of their digital facilities.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, information collection requirements associated with the Commission's Report and Order, GN Docket No. 12-268, FCC 14-50. This notice is consistent with the Report and Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and the effective date of the requirements.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on its proposal to permit broadcasters to use modern digital technologies for Remote Pickup operations. Permitting this would further the Commission's goal of enabling broadcasters to use the same digital technologies for Remote Pickup operations as used by operators in the Private Land Mobile Radio Service.

In this document, the Commission announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved on December 5, 2014, for a period for three years, a revision to an information collection for the FCC Application for Radio Service Authorization for the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, FCC Form 601. With this document, the Commission is announcing OMB approval and the effective date of the revised requirements for FCC Form 601.

This document contains corrections to the final regulations to the Commission's rules which were published in the Federal Register on Thursday, November 6, 2014 (79 FR 65906). The Commission published a clarification in the Declaratory Ruling, which clarifies how the Commission intends to preserve the “coverage area” of eligible broadcasters in the repacking process associated with the broadcast television spectrum incentive auctions. This document contains corrections to the adopted date.

In this Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on a number of issues involving low power television (LPTV) and TV translator stations including measures to facilitate the final conversion of LPTV and TV translator stations to digital service and consider additional means to mitigate the potential impact of the incentive auction and the repacking process on LPTV and TV translator stations to help preserve the important services they provide.

This document clarifies how the Commission intends to preserve the “coverage area” as well as the “population served” of eligible broadcasters in the repacking process associated with the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction. This action is taken in order to remove any uncertainty regarding the repacking approach the Commission adopted in the Incentive Auction R&O.

In this document, Petitions for Reconsideration (Petitions) have been filed in the Commission's Rulemaking proceeding by Benjamin Perez, on behalf of Abacus Television, Stephen G. Perlman, on behalf of Artemis Networks, LLC, Ari Q. Fitzgerald, Esq., on behalf of GE Healthcare, Steven K. Berry, on behalf of Competitive Carriers Association, Louis Libin, on behalf of Advanced Television Broadcasting Alliance, Andrew W. Levin, on behalf of T-Mobile USA, Inc., Melodie A. Virtue, Esq., and Garvey Schubert Barer, on behalf of Beach TV Properties, Inc., and Free Access & Broadcast Telemedia, LLC, Jennifer Johnson, Esq., on behalf of Bonton Media Group, Inc., and Raycom Media, Inc., John R. Feore, Esq., on behalf of Block Communications, Inc. and FBC Television Affiliates Association, Eve Pogoriler, Esq., on behalf of Gannett Co., Inc., Graham Media Group, ICA Broadcasting, and the Dispatching Printing Company, Dean R. Brenner, on behalf of Qualicomm Incorporated, Gerard J. Waldron, Esq., on behalf of CBS Television Network Affiliates Association, and NBC Television Affiliates, Wade H. Hargrove, Esq., on behalf ABC Television Affiliates Associates Association, Donald G. Everist, on behalf of Cohen, Dippell and Everist, P.C., Dale Woodin, on behalf of the American Society for Healthcare Engineering of the American Hospital Association, Sally A. Buckman, Esq., on behalf Journal Broadcast Corporation, Margaret L. Tobey, on behalf NBC Telemundo License LLC, Mike Cavender, on behalf of Radio Television Digital News Association, Michael Gravino, on behalf of LPTV Spectrum Rights Coalition, Mitchell Lazarus, Esq., on behalf of Sennheiser Electronic Corporation, M. Anne Swanson, Esq., on behalf of Media General, Inc., Mace Rosenstein, Esq., on behalf of the Videohouse and Public Broadcasting Service, Inc., Lonna Thompson, on behalf of Association of Public Television Stations, J. Westwood Smithers, on behalf of Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Katherine Lauderdale, on behalf Public Broadcasting Service, A. Wray Fitch III, Esq., on behalf of American Legacy Foundation and Signal Above, LLC, Tom W. Davidson, Esq., on behalf of the Walt Disney Company, Paul J. Broyles, on behalf of International Broadcasting Network, Dean M. Mosely, on behalf U.S. Television, LLC, William H. Shawn, Esq., on behalf of Mako Communications, LLC., and Preston Padden, on behalf of Expanding Opportunities for Broadcasters Coalition.

In this document the Commission adopts rules to implement the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction. Our central objective in designing this incentive auction is to harness the economics of demand for spectrum in order to allow market forces to determine its highest and best use, which will benefit consumers of telecommunications services.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission takes steps to better enable wireless microphone users to provide high quality audio services to serve a wide range of needs. The Commission expands Low Power Auxiliary Station license eligibility under its part 74 rules to include professional sound companies and owners and operators of large venues that routinely use 50 or more wireless microphones, where the use of wireless microphones is an integral part of the major productions or events they host.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (“Commission”) denies eight petitions for reconsideration of a Second Report and Order in this proceeding adopting final rules to ensure a timely and successful completion of the low power television digital transition.

In this document, the Commission announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, the information collection associated with the Commission's Third Report and Order; An Inquiry Into the Commission's Policies and Rules Regarding AM Radio Service Directional Antenna Performance Verification. This document is consistent with the Third Report and Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and the effective date of the requirements.

The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) is correcting final rules that appeared in the Federal Register of 78 FR 66288, November 5, 2013. The document issued final rules that establish a single protection scheme for tower construction and modification near AM tower arrays and designate “moment method” computer modeling as the principal means of determining whether a nearby tower affects an AM radiation pattern. This correction makes no change to the substance of the rules.

In this document, the Commission adopted a single protection scheme for tower construction and modification near AM tower arrays and designated “moment method” computer modeling as the principal means of determining whether a nearby tower affects an AM radiation pattern. The Commission also dismissed in part as moot and denied in all other respects a petition for reconsideration of the Second Report and Order in MM Docket No. 93-177.

This document revises and streamlines the Commission rules to modernize the Experimental Radio Service (ERS). The rules adopted in the Report and Order updates the ERS to a more flexible framework to keep pace with the speed of modern technological change while continuing to provide an environment where creativity can thrive. To accomplish this transition, the Commission created three new types of ERS licenses—the program license, the medical testing license, and the compliance testing license—to benefit the development of new technologies, expedite their introduction to the marketplace, and unleash the full power of innovators to keep the United States at the forefront of the communications industry. The Commission's actions also modify the market trial rules to eliminate confusion and more clearly articulate its policies with respect to marketing products prior to equipment certification. The Commission believes that these actions will remove regulatory barriers to experimentation, thereby permitting institutions to move from concept to experimentation to finished product more rapidly and to more quickly implement creative problem-solving methodologies.

This document corrects an error that appears in the summary of Implementation of Competitive Bidding for Commercial Broadcast and Instructional Television Fixed Service Licenses, published in the Federal Register of Friday, September 11, 1998, 63 FR 48615. Paragraph 17 of the Federal Register summary erroneously omitted a requirement that winning bidders in broadcast service auctions pay an application fee when filing their long form applications.

In this document, the Commission announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, the information collection associated with the Commission's Report and Order (Order), Facilitating the use of Microwave for Wireless Backhaul and Other Uses and Providing Additional Flexibility To Broadcast Auxiliary Service and Operational Fixed Microwave Licensees. This notice is consistent with the Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of those rules.

This document proposes to amend the Commission's rules to implement allocation decisions from the World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2007) (WRC-07), make other allocation changes that are not related to WRC-07, and make certain updates to its service rules. The proposed actions are designed to conform the Commission's rules to the WRC-07 Final Acts and to provide significant benefits to the American public.

In this document, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Office of Engineering and Technology invite interested parties to update and refresh the record pertaining to two specific issues raised in the Commission's 2010 Wireless Microphones further notice of proposed rulemaking.