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FCC A.RAO Report No. DC September , Words
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FCC19A.RAO Report No. DC September 26, 1991 829 Words
ACTION IN DOCKET CASE
FCC AMENDS RULES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE AM BROADCAST SERVICE
(MM DOCKET 87-267)
The Federal Communications Commission has concluded an important phase of
its long-term program designed to transform and revitalize the AM
broadcast service. Numerous revisions and adjustments, both major and
minor, to the existing AM rules and policies have been adopted. It is
expected that today's action will go a long way toward improving the
health and ensuring the survival of the AM service. The strategy relies
upon the application of three mutually supporting elements designed to
reduce congestion and interference in the AM band:
The elements are:
- Technical Standards which implements new and revised AM
technical standards designed to reduce interference to AM
broadcasters' primary service areas;
- Migration which selectively opens 10 newly available frequencies
in the expanded band, 1605 - 1705 Khz, to those AM stations
which significantly contribute to congestion and interference in
the existing band;
- Consolidation which affords broadcasters greater latitude and
incentive for reducing interference through non-technical means.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS
A number of steps were taken to improve the quality of service in the
existing AM band. Specifically, the Commission:
- increased the first and second adjacent channel protection
ratios to reduce adjacent channel interference and to promote
the development of receivers with higher audio fidelity;
- refined the methodology for calculating nighttime coverage and
interference so as to more accurately measure interference
effects, thus improving nighttime reception; and,
- will selectively require a 10 percent interference reduction
when voluntary modifications are made to AM station facilities,
thus gradually reducing the overall presence of interference.
MIGRATION
The Commission adopted rules for the expanded band that are designed to
reduce interference in the existing band, while facilitating the prompt
initiation of high quality service in the new broadcasting spectrum. By
taking this action, the Commission intends to manage the migration process
to maximize the benefits to AM service as a whole. Rules have been
established to encourage those existing stations whose migration would
achieve the greatest interference reductions in the existing band to move
to the expanded band. The Commission reiterated its commitment to
creating a model AM broadcasting. To accomplish this goal, the Commission
will:
- adopt an allotment plan for the AM expanded band that is based
on wide station separations and low interference levels, in
order to facilitate the universal establishment of service in
the expanded band;
- rank competing migration proposals from existing licensees using
factors related to interference reduction and service currently
provided;
- offer an eligibility preference to AM stereo broadcasting in the
expanded band to ensure that the competitive benefits offered by
the expanded band are more fully realized; and,
- allow dual ownership and operation of existing and expanded band
stations for a transitional period of five years, with a
corresponding waiver of duopoly and national ownership rules
during permissible period of dual operation.
Attached as an Appendix to the Report and Order will be a Sample Allotment
Plan for the expanded band. Its contents are based on the "letters of
intent" received in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. This
Sample Plan is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an
official allotment of channels.
Our action here initially restricting eligibility for expanded band
authorizations to existing AM licensee is intended to redress the unique
technical problems present in the AM service. It should not be taken to
suggest any generalized Commission policy favoring existing licensees over
new entrants in other services where new or expanded opportunities may
arise.
CONSOLIDATION
Several non-technical rules were adopted also. First the Commission will
issue tax certificates in conjunction with voluntary arrangements among
licensees to reduce interference by discontinuing the operation of
marginal stations. Second, it will relax its multiple ownership rules for
applicants proposing facilities changes that would result in a significant
reduction of interference to co-channel stations.
The Commission also stated that it may be appropriate to impose some
restrictions on the duplication of programming by AM-FM combinations.
However,because conditions in the AM service may substantially change
during the next few years, the Commission concluded that it may be
premature to limit program duplication at this time. Rather, the
Commission will revisit this issue at the end of three years.
As to related matters, the Commission will also:
- relax the rules pertaining to Travelers Information Stations to
allow for the authorization (on a secondary basis) of such
stations on any assignable frequency in the AM band; and,
- promote efforts by the broadcast industry to encourage
manufacturers to comply with new industry receiver standards.
Finally, as a result of these rule changes, the Commission will lift the
freeze on AM applications on the effective date of the rules which, in
turn,depends on Office of Management and Budget approval.
Action by the Commission September 26, 1991, by Report and Order.
Commissioners Sikes (Chairman), Quello, Marshall, Barrett and Duggan.
Mass Media Bureau Contact: Larry Olson, (202) 632-6955 or William
Hassinger at (202) 632-6460.
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jwr September 27, 1991
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