Auction 83 Filing Window to Open

The FCC’s Media Bureau and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau publicized an auction filing window (Auction # 83) for certain FM translator station construction permit applications. The filing window will open on March 10 and close on March 14. In connection with this window, MB also stated that it will not accept FM translator and FM booster minor change construction permit applications and FM booster new construction permit applications between Feb. 8 and March 14.
The window is available for non-reserved band (channels 221 to 300) proposals for new FM translator stations and major modifications to authorized FM translator facilities. The commission also will consider those FM translator station new and major modification applications that were received on or before Nov. 26, 1997, but for which no “A” cut-off list had been released by that date (“Frozen FM Translator Applications”).
The commission imposed a freeze on the filing of FM translator new and major change applications in the competitive bidding NPRM. MB has continued to process and grant FM translator minor change and FM booster applications under its processing rules since the inception of the freeze. However, MB will institute a temporary freeze on the acceptance of minor change FM translator applications on all channels (channels 201-300) at 12:01 a.m. Eastern, Feb. 8. The freeze shall remain in effect until the close of the window. Minor change applications filed during this freeze will be dismissed.
Also on file are a number of FM translator station new and major modification applications filed after Nov. 26, 1997, with “freeze waiver” requests. These applicants also may participate in the filing window. Freeze Waiver Applications have not been protected from subsequently filed FM translator minor change applications during the competitive bidding NPRM freeze, and this policy will continue until the window is closed. Accordingly, Freeze Waiver Applications must protect all minor change applications filed on or before Feb. 7, 2003, in order to be considered in the upcoming window, the same requirement that will apply generally to new FM translator station and major change proposals submitted for the first time in the filing window.