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Comm Law CenterPublished on:
FCC Approves Digital Power Increase for Most FM IBOC Stations
The FCC has released an Order amending its digital audio broadcasting (“DAB”) rules for FM stations operating digital facilities. According to the Order, the underlying purpose for the change is to “improve FM digital coverage and to eliminate regulatory impediments to FM radio’s ability to meet its full potential and deliver its promised benefits.”
The Order authorized most FM stations using an in-band on-channel (“IBOC”) DAB system to increase their digital effective radiated power (“ERP”) by 6 dB without prior FCC approval. The FCC concluded that, due to potential interference issues, super-power FM stations (those having authorized ERPs above the maximum level for their station class) are subject to different digital ERP limitations and may not increase their digital ERP without FCC approval. Under the new rules, the maximum digital ERP for super-power FM stations will be the higher of the “currently permitted -20 dBc level or 10 dB below the maximum analog power that would be authorized for the class of the super-powered FM station adjusted for the station’s antenna height above average terrain.”