FCC Actions for December, 2024 Open Meeting
Adopts NPRM for 24-626, expands unlicensed use of 6 GHz, Boston pirate sweep and facilitating broadband buildout
In the December, 2024 FCC Open Meeting, the Commission had adopted several agenda items.
The FCC has adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in MB Docket 24-626, which will make various administrative changes to the broadcast services including some “lessons learned” from the 2023 LPFM Filing Window. These changes will also impact the filing of informal objections, expanding the “signature rule” and provide more flexibility to AM stations seeking small power increases.
The comment and reply comment period will be announced when the item is published in the Federal Register.
REC Networks currently has a constituent survey taking place to collect comments from the LPFM, advocacy and legal communities to help guide our comments in MB Docket 24-626 as well as to get comments on other rule changes that may be proposed by REC in the future related to LPFM and full-service noncommercial educational broadcast stations.
The FCC has also imposed forfeitures on the operators of several pirate radio stations in the Boston area, pursuant to the PIRATE Act, including $120,000 to Lotnivo FM on 101.9, $40,000 to Radio Tele Brockton (aka Brockton Heat) on 96.5 and $40,000 to Brockton FM on 102.1. Each of these operators received a Notice of Apparent Liability in April. None of these operators ever replied to the Commission’s NALs. As with a previous forfeiture order for pirate radio operations, Commissioner Simington dissented.
The FCC expanded the use of the entire 6 GHz band to expand beyond WiFi to also include wearable technology, augmented and virtual reality, which the Commission states will enhance learning opportunities, improve healthcare choices and bring new entertainment experiences.
Finally, the FCC adopted rule changes governing letters of credit to relieve administrative and financial burdens on broadband providers receiving certain types of high-cost support from the FCC’s Universal Service Fund. The rule change will allow US banks that are well capitalized to issue letters of credit to high-cost support recipients, thus increasing the number of banks qualified to issue letters of credit.
The next FCC Open Meeting, which will be the last for Chair Rosenworcel will be on January 15, 2025 at 10:30AM EST.
This article will be updated once the FCC releases the ordering documents.