As part of its ongoing effort to increase rule transparency and eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has moved to update its rules applicable to broadcast radio operations.
Codified in a Report and Order issued by the FCC, the updates/changes include:
- Eliminating the maximum-rated transmitter power limit rules for AM stations;
- Updating the noncommercial educational (NCE) FM community of license coverage requirements;
- Eliminating the requirement that applicants demonstrate the effect of their FM transmitting antenna on nearby FM or TV broadcast antennas;
- Updating the signal strength contour overlap requirements for all other NCE FM stations;
- Eliminating the requirement for broadcast services to protect certain grandfathered common carrier services;
- Amending the definition of an “AM fill-in area;” and
- Amending allocation and power limitations for broadcast stations within 320 kilometers of the borders with Mexico and Canada.
The FCC says that the changes to these outdated or unnecessary broadcast station regulations are part of its ongoing effort to ensure that its current rules are accurate, up-to-date, and consistent.
Read the complete text of the FCC’s Report and Order.
