The FCC has postponed its upcoming filing window for new noncom FM translators in the 88 to 92 MHz reserved band.
It had originally set the window for August, but a number of community, college and tribal organizations asked for more time.
The new dates are Nov. 4–17, with a limited application filing freeze to begin Oct. 2 (read the notice).
Groups that had asked for more time included College Broadcasters Inc., the Pala Band of Mission Indians, the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, Native Public Media, the National Congress of American Indians and Community Media Assistance Project.
CBI said the original window fell “squarely in the middle of summer recess and presents a significant challenge for our constituents.” Another filer said “Tribal communities cannot simply approve applying for these FCC applications and researching technical proposals at the drop of a hat.”
The FCC now writes: “We agree that it would serve the public interest to reschedule the filing window by several months to afford all interested parties sufficient time to prepare applications for new construction permits for this important service and participate in this first-ever filing window for NCE reserved band FM translator station construction permit applications.”
It also noted that it has received questions regarding the point system selection criteria, including qualification requirements for diversity of ownership points. It said it may issue a public notice to provide additional guidance and clarification on that.
As reported earlier, there will be a 10-application cap for most filings and a requirement that each applicant be the licensee or permittee of either an existing noncom FM station, noncom AM station or an LPFM station that the proposed translator will rebroadcast.
For additional information on the filing window, the FCC said to contact James Bradshaw, [email protected]; Joseph Cohen, [email protected]; Lisa Scanlan, [email protected]; or Amy Van de Kerckhove, [email protected], of the Media Bureau, Audio Division, (202) 418-2700.
