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McCain Re-introduces Bill to Create More LPFMs …

McCain Re-introduces Bill to Create More LPFMs ...

Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. have re-introduced a bill that would allow more low-power FMs by dropping third-adjacent channel protections for full-power stations.
Sponsors say the Local Community Radio Act of 2005 would allow more LPFMs on the air, some in large markets, and “eliminate costly and redundant studies on possible interference from low power FM radio stations to other FM stations.”
“While low-power FM radio stations were authorized five years ago, implementation has been severely hampered by commercial broadcasters’ flagrantly exaggerated claims of interference,” McCain stated.
“The most recent obstruction, a two-year study conducted at the behest of broadcasters, cost taxpayers over $2 million and proved what the FCC and community groups have known for years: low-power FM stations will not cause significant interference to other broadcasters’ signals.
“It is time for broadcasters to stop hiding behind false claims of interference when they are really afraid of the competition from truly local broadcasters.”
McCain referred to the Mitre study, comissioned by the FCC, which LPFM supporters say showed no harmful interference to full-power FMs if third-adjacent restrictions were lifted. NAB argues this point.
McCain’s bill did not pass in the last session of Congress.

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