FCC RULEMAKING WOULD ESTABLISH TIMETABLE FOR DTV IN RURAL U.S.

The Community Bcstrs. Assn. (CBA), which represents many of the stations, said the FCC’s action was a “positive first step” in helping the stations, many of which are strapped for cash, to enter the digital era. CBA was particularly pleased that the agency recognized a need for those stations to have 2nd channels during the transition. “We will file aggressive comments that will give the Commission industry-acceptable standards for the digital transition, plus emphasize the necessity for new technical opportunities that DTV may make available for all Class A/LPTV stations,” CBA Pres. Eddie Owen said. The CBA said it would talk about “some expanded technology options” for the transition in its comments, as well as whether those stations should have “broader flexibility” than full-power stations. An NAB spokesman said that group had been encouraging the FCC to start this proceeding for some time, but declined further comment, saying the association wanted to study the rulemaking first.

There are 2,100 LPTV stations in the U.S. and CBA said many provided their community’s only local news, weather and public affairs programming. Some 4,700 translators, mostly in western mountainous states, typically serve communities that can’t receive free, over-the-air TV because of distance or terrain.

The rulemaking tentatively concluded that digital translator stations should be technically capable of retransmitting the complete signals of DTV broadcast stations for reception by the general public. It seeks comment on translator local message insertions and the extent to which digital translators should be able to alter the content or video format of DTV signals. The rulemaking tentatively said digital LPTV stations must broadcast a video programming service at no charge to viewers having a video resolution at least comparable with that of an analog TV signal, but should be allowed to use the remaining digital channel capacity to provide ancillary and supplementary services.

Because there’s limited spectrum in many areas of the country, the rulemaking proposes TV channels 2-13 and 14-59 (except channel 37, which is reserved for radio astronomy) be made available for digital LPTV and TV translator stations. The FCC wants comments on whether TV channels 60-69 also should be made available for digital low-power service during the DTV transition. The lower and upper 700 MHz spectrum comprising TV channels 52-59 and 60-69, respectively, has been reallocated for new primary services, including commercial wireless and public safety services. The rulemaking seeks comment on whether that spectrum should be made available for digital low-power service when applicants can show that other TV channels are unavailable. The CBA said it appreciated that the FCC had opened an avenue for digital conversion by Class A/LPTV stations on a 2nd channel, which is the system being used by full-power TV stations. “Our organization believes that dual channel operation will make the overall conversion process for our station owners much easier and practical, and will ensure that no viewer is deprived of service during the transition,” Owen said.

The FCC said all stations in the LPTV service, including future digital stations, would be secondary to, and must not interfere with, TV and DTV broadcast stations, certain land mobile radio operations and other primary services. The rulemaking seeks comment on how to analyze potential interference from digital low-power stations to primary services and whether the current contour protection methodology used with analog LPTV stations should be replaced with the more flexible and accurate DTV interference prediction methodology. It proposes for digital LPTV and TV translator stations the protected signal contour values the FCC adopted for digital Class A TV stations. The rulemaking tentatively concludes that a high priority should be given to the digital transition of existing analog LPTV and TV translator service stations. For the authorization of new digital stations, the rulemaking seeks comment on an initial digital-only application filing window with eligibility restricted to incumbent LPTV, TV translator and Class A TV licensees. That would be followed by a separate filing procedure of continuing “rolling one-day” filing windows, which essentially would be a first-come, first-served system.

The rulemaking seeks comment on whether certain legal requirements set out by Congress for the end of analog TV should apply to authorizations in the LPTV service and, if not, whether the FCC should consider establishing a trigger- based mechanism like that for full-service stations. The Commission said it also wanted to account for the significant difference between full-service and low power stations.

The rulemaking asks for comment on whether the FCC should establish an on-channel digital booster station class in the LPTV service and, if so, what rules should govern such stations. Comments are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, with replies 30 days after that. Comr. Adelstein, who hails from S.D., said he was pleased the rulemaking was so comprehensive. “These stations are the primary source of over-the-air television for many viewers living in our nation’s rural communities, and their transition to digital is vitally needed to keep pace with more urban areas,” he said.