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 10-1168
Released: June 28, 2010
INITIATION OF NATIONWIDE, FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED DIGITAL LICENSING
FOR LOW POWER TELEVISION AND TV TRANSLATOR SERVICES 
POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
The Media Bureau announces that the initiation of nationwide first-come, first-served, digital-
only licensing for low power television and TV translator stations scheduled to begin July 26, 2010, is 
hereby postponed until further notice. On June 29, 2009, the Media Bureau announced that it would 
begin accepting applications on a first-come, first-served basis for new digital-only low power television 
and TV translator stations and for major changes to existing analog and digital facilities in these services 
in so-called “rural areas” on August 25, 2009, and without geographic restriction on January 25, 2010.1  
The January 25, 2010 date for initiation of nationwide first-come, first-served digital licensing was 
subsequently postponed to July 26, 2010.2 For the reasons set forth below, the Media Bureau believes 
that a postponement of the July 26, 2010 date for nationwide licensing is necessary in light of the release 
of the National Broadband Plan.3
The Broadband Plan announced an effort to identify 500 megahertz of spectrum that can be 
reallocated from existing uses to enable the expansion of new mobile broadband service.4 To aid in this 
endeavor, the Broadband Plan recommended, among other things, that the Commission initiate a 
rulemaking proceeding to reallocate 120 megahertz from the broadcast television bands, and also to 
consider methodologies for repacking television channels to increase the efficiency of channel use.5  To 
permit the Commission to evaluate its reallocation and repacking proposals and their impact on future 
licensing of low power television facilities, the Media Bureau deems it appropriate to postpone 
nationwide digital licensing for low power television and TV translator stations until further notice.  
Following the conclusion of the Commission’s broadband rulemaking proceedings, the Media Bureau 
will consider an appropriate date for the initiation of nationwide digital licensing.
 
  
1  See “Commencement of Rural, First-Come, First-Served Digital Licensing,” Public Notice, DA 09-1487, 24 FCC 
Rcd 8911 (MB 2009) (June 29th Public Notice).
2  See “Initiation of Nationwide First-Come, First-Served Digital Licensing for Low Power Television and TV 
Translators Postponed to July 26, 2010,” Public Notice, DA 09-2611, 24 FCC Rcd 14614 (MB 2009)
3  See Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, 
DC (March 2010); available at http://www.broadband.gov/plan (Broadband Plan).
4  Broadband Plan at 84. 
5 Broadband Plan at 88. 
2
To further the digital transition for low power television, TV translator and Class A television 
stations, the Commission will permit existing stations in these services to file applications for digital 
companion channels beginning on July 26, 2010.  Interested parties may also continue to submit 
applications for new digital-only LPTV and TV translator stations and for major changes to existing 
analog and digital LPTV and TV translator facilities in rural areas, as defined in the June 29th Public 
Notice.6 Furthermore, applications that are currently permitted under our rules will continue to be 
accepted, including applications for digital on-channel conversion (“flash cut”). 
For additional information or questions, please contact Hossein Hashemzadeh (technical) or 
Shaun Maher (legal) of the Video Division, Media Bureau at (202) 418-1600.
-- FCC --
  
6  See June 29th Public Notice at Appendix A.