PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
DA 09-528
February 27, 2009
DTS Rules Now In Effect
Commission Ready To Accept Applications By DTV Stations
To Use Distributed Transmission System Technologies
By this Public Notice, the Media Bureau announces that the rules adopted in the 
Commission’s Report and Order authorizing the use of distributed transmission system (“DTS”) 
technologies in the digital television (“DTV”) service are now in effect.1 The DTS Order was 
published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2008.2 The Commission obtained approval 
from the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) for the information collection 
requirements contained in the DTS Order on December 29, 2008.3 The Commission announced 
in a Federal Register Notice that the DTS rules became effective on January 15, 2009.4
DTV stations that wish to apply to use DTS technologies must file FCC Forms 301 and 
340 electronically using the CDBS efiling system.  These forms, which have been modified to 
accommodate the use of DTS, are now available on the FCC’s website 
(http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html).  DTS transmitters will not be separately licensed, but will 
be part of a linked group that will be covered by one construction permit and license.5 Stations 
must request authority to construct DTS facilities by filing a single application that includes 
either (1) a main transmitter and one or more additional transmitters that will collectively use the 
DTS technology, or (2) two or more smaller DTS transmitters.6 In addition, a station may add to 
its DTS network of transmitters using a minor change application for a construction permit to 
change a licensed DTV facility, or for a modified construction permit to change a DTV facility 
authorized by a construction permit.7 Stations that received Special Temporary Authority to use
  
1 Digital Television Distributed Transmission System Technologies, MB Docket No. 05-312, Report and 
Order, FCC 08-256 (rel. Nov. 7, 2008) (“DTS Order”).  See 47 C.F.R. §§ 73.626 and 73.6023.
2 See 73 Fed. Reg. 74047 (December 5, 2008).
3 See OMB Control Nos. 3060-0027 and 3060-0029 (approved Dec. 29, 2008).
4 See 74 Fed. Reg. 2405 (January 15, 2009).
5 See DTS Order, supra note 1, at ¶ 43.
6 See DTS Order, supra note 1, at ¶ 44.
7 See id.
2
DTS under the interim policy are reminded to obtain permanent authorization now that the final 
rules are in effect.8
For more information, contact the Media Bureau’s Video Division:  Nazifa Sawez, 
nazifa.sawez@fcc.gov, at (202) 418-7059, or Kevin Harding, kevin.harding@fcc.gov, at (202) 
418-7077.
  
8 See id.