STATEMENT OF 
CHAIRMAN KEVIN J. MARTIN
Re:  In the Matter of Creation of A Low Power Radio Service, Third Report and Order 
And Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, (MM Docket No, 99-25)
Low Power FM provides a lower cost opportunity for additional new voices to get into 
the local radio market.  Today’s item facilitates LPFM stations’ access to limited radio 
spectrum by significantly reforming our LPFM rules.
In order to ensure that the American people have the benefit of a competitive and diverse 
media marketplace that serves their local communities, we need to create more 
opportunities for different, new and independent voices to be heard.  We need to address 
the concern that there are too few local outlets available to minorities and new entrants. 
The limited number of channels in the radio spectrum bands and the high start-up cost of 
building a station are significant barriers to entry in broadcasting.  It can be very difficult 
for anyone—in particular a new voice—to find an available channel and gather enough 
capital to build a new broadcast station. 
Today the Commission takes several important steps to improve our Low Power FM 
rules to better promote entry and ensure local responsiveness without harming the 
interests of full-power FM stations or other Commission licensees.  To preserve 
opportunities for new LPFM stations, the Order restricts the number of FM translator 
applications we will grant from the 2003 window.  In addition, the Order streamlines and 
clarifies the process by which LPFM stations can resolve potential interference issues
with full-power stations.  The Order also establishes a going-forward processing policy to 
help those LPFMs that have regularly provided eight hours of locally originated 
programming daily in order to preserve this local service. 
Our work in this area is important for localism.  I look forward to working with my 
fellow Commissioners to adopt additional rules that continue to ensure a competitive and 
diverse media marketplace that serves local communities.