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WASHINGTON, DC—Beginning August 13, 2019, FM translators will have greater flexibility from the FCC to modify its facility to any channel in the same band. Womble Bond Dickinson telecom attorney John Garziglia writes about the changes in Radio Ink.
“Effective August 13, FM translators will be able to move to any same-band channel as a minor change upon a showing of interference to or from any other broadcast station, rather than being limited to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and I.F. channels. For FM translators in non-frequency-congested areas, this any-channel rule change will offer opportunities for both interference complaint remediation and potential facility improvements if current service is limited by interference,” Garziglia writes in Radio Ink .
However, he says existing FM stations will need to be vigilant to ensure that FM translator frequency changes don’t cause new interference where none now exists. Station officials should review FM translator modification applications filed on or after August 13, so that they can file a timely objection should problems arise.
Click here to read “The Upcoming Any-Channel FM Translator Rules” by John Garziglia in Radio Ink.
John Garziglia represents radio and television broadcasters, offering personalized assistance in all areas of communications and telecommunications law including transactional and contract negotiations for broadcast station mergers and acquisitions, the securing of financing, governmental auctions of new frequencies, license renewals, new stations applications, facility changes, facility upgrades, licensing, and compliance with FCC rules, regulations and policies.
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