Earlier this week, the FCC announced that changes in its processing of LPFM and Noncommercial (NCE) full-power station applications became effective on October 30. We wrote about some of those changes here and here. Of immediate importance is the need to include a certification of reasonable transmitter site assurance in any application for any technical change to an LPFM or an NCE station – even for minor changes in the station’s facilities. These certifications require a statement that the applicant believes that it has a commitment for the use of the proposed transmitter site, and requires the submission of the name and telephone number of the person who provided that assurance with some identification of who they are (e.g. owner, agent, or other authorized representative. The rule changes also require certifications that applicants have met certain holding periods for the assignment or transfer of stations that resulted from a point system award when the applications for these new stations were mutually exclusive with other applicants in a filing window. See the FCC’s Public Notice for complete information as to how to provide this information while the appropriate LMS forms are being updated to reflect these new changes.
The FCC also released a Public Notice announcing that October 30, 2020 was the effective date for changes to LPFM technical rules. These changes allowed LPFM stations to use directional antennas (see our article here on that change in the FCC rules). The Public Notice provides details of the forms to be used by LPFM applicants to file an application for approval for the use of a directional antenna.
Courtesy Broadcast Law Blog
