Federal Communications Commission	DA 21-1611


DA 21-1611 
Released:  December 20, 2021

MEDIA BUREAU EXTENDS COMMENT AND REPLY COMMENT DEADLINES FOR FM DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA NPRM
MB Docket No. 21-422

Extended Comment Deadline:  January 20, 2022
Extended Reply Comment Deadline:  February 4, 2022

1. By this Public Notice, the Media Bureau extends the deadlines for filing comments and reply comments in the above-captioned proceeding to update the Commission’s rules by allowing an FM or LPFM applicant proposing a directional antenna system to verify the system’s performance through computer modeling.  
2. On November 15, 2021, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking setting out its proposed rule changes allowing verification of FM and LPFM directional antennas by computer modeling. Updating FM Broadcast Radio Service Directional Antenna Performance Verification, MB Docket No. 21-422, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 21-117 (Nov. 15, 2021) (NPRM).
  On November 30, 2021, the Media Bureau announced a comment filing deadline of December 30, 2021, and a reply comment filing deadline of January 14, 2022, in the above-captioned proceeding. Comment and Reply Comment Dates Set for FM Directional Antenna NPRM, MB Docket No. 21-422, Public Notice, DA 21-1485 (MB Nov. 30, 2021).
  
3. On December 17, 2021, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) requested an extension of the comment and reply comment filing deadlines until January 20 and February 4, 2022, respectively. Motion for Extension of Time of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), MB Docket No. 21-422 (filed Dec. 17, 2021) (Extension Motion).
  NAB states that, in the Joint Petition for Rulemaking on which the NPRM was based, Joint Petition for Rulemaking, filed by Dielectric, LLC; Educational Media Foundation; Jampro Antennas, Inc.; Radio Frequency Systems; and Shively Labs (filed June 15, 2021).
 the Joint Petitioners included a technical exhibit comparing the results of computer modeling using one commercial software product with the physical measurements taken from an FM directional antenna mounted on one particular type of tower. Extension Motion at 2.
  NAB believes that the record would “significantly benefit from additional technical information involving common tower structures and other commercial software products.” Id.
  However, while NAB states it has reached out to broadcasters, consulting engineers, and antenna manufacturers to provide such technical data for the record, it points out that the end-of-year holiday season and upcoming federal holidays means that many potential commenters will be on vacation, or their offices will be closed or dealing with year-end business matters. Id.
  NAB thus requests a three-week extension of both the comment and reply comment deadlines.
4. As set forth in section 1.46(a) of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 1.46(a).
 the Commission’s policy is that extensions of time shall not be routinely granted.  We find, however, that NAB has set forth sufficient justification to warrant grant of their requested extension.  As an extension should enable interested parties to present more complete and technically constructive comments to the Commission, we agree with NAB that both the parties commenting in the proceeding and the Commission should benefit and that the extension should not prejudice any party or significantly delay resolution of this proceeding. See Extension Motion at 2-3.
  Accordingly, we grant the NAB’s request and extend the comment and reply comment deadlines by three weeks, until January 20, 2022, and February 4, 2022, respectively.
5. For additional information on this proceeding, contact Tom Nessinger, Thomas.Nessinger@fcc.gov, of the Media Bureau, Audio Division.  Press inquiries should be directed to Janice Wise, Janice.Wise@fcc.gov, (202) 418-8165.

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