Federal Communications Commission	DA 22-429



DA 22-429
Released:  April 18, 2022

MEDIA BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON RECENT FILINGS CONCERNING USE OF FM BOOSTERS FOR GEO-TARGETED CONTENT
MB Docket No. 20-401
MB Docket No. 17-105
RM-11854

Comment Date:  [30 days after date of publication in the Federal Register]
Reply Comment Date:  [45 days after date of publication in the Federal Register]


By:  Chief, Media Bureau

	On December 1, 2020, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in this proceeding, seeking comment on whether to modify the Commission’s rules governing the operation of FM booster stations in certain limited circumstances to allow for geo-targeted content. Amendment of Section 74.1231(i) of the Commission’s Rules on FM Broadcast Booster Stations, 35 FCC Rcd 14213 (2020) (NPRM).  Geo-targeted content is that which can be heard only within that portion of an FM station’s total service area covered by the signal of a co-channel FM booster station.
  The time period for filing comments and reply comments on the NPRM closed on March 12, 2021. Comment and Reply Comment Dates Set For FM Broadcast Booster Stations NPRM, Public Notice, 36 FCC Rcd 30 (2021).  Comments and reply comments were filed in the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) under Media Bureau Docket Nos. 20-401 and 17-105.
  Since that time, GeoBroadcast Solutions sought, and the Bureau has approved, experimental authority to test the technology in San Jose, California with station KSJO(FM), Letter from Gerard J. Waldron, Covington & Burling LLP, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission (Sept. 17, 2021) (https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/file/download/DOC-5efda36b20400000-A.pdf?file_name=KSJO%20Technical%20Report.pdf).
 and in Jackson, Mississippi with station WRBJ-FM. Letter from Gerard J. Waldron, Covington & Burling LLP, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission (March 30, 2022) (https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/file/download/DOC-5ff6e91e66000000-A.pdf?file_name=GeoBroadcast%20WRBJ%20Technical%20Report%203.30.22.pdf).
  As part of this authority, GeoBroadcast Solutions was required to file in ECFS technical reports on testing it conducted for both stations.  Those reports contain detailed technical discussions about the operation of GeoBroadcast Solution’s booster technology, its compatibility with the Emergency Alert System, and its impact on digital FM broadcasts.  This technical information was not available to the public at the time comments and reply comments were due.

	In light of these recent developments and to provide a complete record on developments since the completion of the commenting cycle in this matter, the Media Bureau seeks public comment on these test reports as well as other documents filed in this proceeding since March 12, 2021.  Interested parties may file comments and reply comments by the dates listed above using ECFS or by submitting paper copies to the Commission’s Office of the Secretary. Commenters should follow the filing instructions provided in paragraph 36 of the NPRM.
  

	For additional information, contact Albert Shuldiner, Albert.Shuldiner@fcc.gov or James.Bradshaw@fcc.gov of the Media Bureau, Audio Division, (202) 418-2700.  Press inquiries should be directed to Janice Wise, (202) 418-8165.

By the Chief, Media Bureau
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