Complex Road Ahead as FCC Tackles 6,500 Translator Applications to Advance LCRA Implementation

The FCC anticipates a complex but efficient process in handling about 6,500 outstanding FM translator applications so that it can move forward with implementation of the Local Community Radio Act, agency officials said. “We're confident we can carry this out, but we are certainly concerned about the level of complexity and our ability to efficiently process remaining applications,” said Peter Doyle, Audio Division chief of the Media Bureau. “The processing rules that will be put in place will be strictly enforced,” he said Wednesday during a forum at the FCC: “Those folks who are seeking waivers and case-by-case determinations are going to face a very difficult path."

The protection obligations for fully-spaced low-power FM stations will be similar to the current rule that FM translators are subject to regarding grid rules, said Tom Hutton, legal deputy chief at the Audio Division. “We're also looking at the possibility of cross-ownership of LPFM translators with LPFM stations.” There’s no target date for a sixth report and order to establish revised LPFM rules, but it’s a high priority, he added.

Many issues around LPFM rules must be taken care of before the LPFM window can be open, said Jim Bradshaw, engineering deputy chief in the Audio Division. “Until we have those final rules, we can’t even begin to talk about a low-power window.” It’s possible that the LPFM window may open spring 2013, but that’s optimistic, he said.

The commission is trying to figure out how it will preserve the limited LPFM opportunity and “allow for the most expedited process of the remaining translator applications,” Bradshaw said. The agency has a tentative timeline to process the 6,500 translator short-form applications, he said. They're categorized by spectrum-limited markets, spectrum-available markets and “outside markets,” like rural locations, he added. The tentative timeline includes addressing the compliance of caps in summer 2012, followed by non-spectrum limited singletons in the fall, spectrum limited non-preclusion showings in the fall and the LPFM auction in spring or summer 2013, Bradshaw said. A public notice will be issued for each step, he added.