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FCC RIN: 3060-AJ07 Publication ID: Fall 2008 
Title: ●Creating a Low Power Radio Service (MM Docket NO. 99-25) 
Abstract: This proceeding was initiated to establish a new noncommercial educational low power FM radio service for non-profit community organizations and public safety entities. In January 2000, the Commission adopted a Report and Order establishing two classes of LPFM stations, 100 watt (LP100) and 10 watt (LP10) facilities, with service radii of approximately 3.5 miles and 1-2 miles, respectively. The Report and Order also established ownership and eligibility rules for the LPFM service. The Commission generally restricted ownership to entities with no attributable interest in any other broadcast station or other media. To choose among entities filing mutually exclusive applications for LPFM licenses, the Commission established a point system favoring local ownership and locally-originated programming. The Report and Order imposed separation requirements for LPFM with respect to full power stations operating on co-, first- and second-adjacent and intermediate frequency (IF) channels. In December 2000, legislation was enacted that required the Commission to modify its rules to (i) prescribe LPFM station third-adjacent channel interference protection standards and (ii) prohibit any applicant from obtaining an LPFM station license if the applicant previously has engaged in the unlicensed operation of a station. In March 2001, the Commission adopted a Second Report and Order implementing this statute. In a Further Notice issued in 2005, the Commission reexamined some of its rules governing the LPFM service, noting that the rules may adjustment in order to ensure that the Commission maximizes the value of the LPFM service without harming the interests of full-power FM stations or other Commission licensees. The Commission sought comment on a number of issues with respect to LPFM ownership restrictions and eligibility. The Third Report and Order resolves issues raised in the Further Notice. The accompanying Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking considers rule changes to avoid the potential loss of LPFM stations. 
Agency: Federal Communications Commission(FCC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 47 CFR 73.801   
Legal Authority: 47 USC 151 to 152    47 USC 154(i)    47 USC 303    47 USC 403    47 USC 405   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  12/16/1999  64 FR 2577   
R&O  02/15/2000  65 FR 7616   
MO&O and Order on Recon  11/09/2000  65 FR 67289   
Second R&O  05/10/2001  66 FR 238611   
Second Order on Recon and FNPRM  07/07/2005  70 FR 3918   
Third R&O and Second FNPRM  01/17/2008  73 FR 3202   
Next Action Undetermined  To Be Determined    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: Undetermined 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions, Organizations 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Agency Contact:
Peter Doyle
Special Counsel, Audio Division, Media Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20554
Phone:202 418-2700
Email: peter.doyle@fcc.gov