FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
April 27, 2015
The Honorable Ron Wyden
United States Senate
221 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Wyden:
Thank you for your letter concerning the impact of the upcoming voluntary Broadcast
Television Spectrum Incentive Auction on TV translator stations.
I agree that TV translators play an important role in providing information to consumers
and businesses in rural communities. As you note, in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job
Creation Act, Congress did not provide LPTV or TV translator stations with the same legal
protection as full power and Class A stations. The Commission is taking steps, however, to help
ensure that the important programming content these stations provide continues to reach viewers.
To help accommodate some of the needs of LPTV and TV translator stations, these
stations will be permitted to remain on their existing channels during the transition period after
the Incentive Auction, unless or until they are notified that they interfere with the primary
service. Licensees of operating LPTV and TV translator stations that are displaced by a
broadcast television station or a wireless service provider, or whose channel is reserved as a
guard band, will be permitted to submit an application for displacement relief in a special filing
window.
Additionally, in October 2014, the Commission initiated a proceeding to address other
LPTV and TV translator issues related to the Incentive Auction. This proceeding explores
options that may help these stations continue to serve their communities. We anticipate
completing this proceeding in advance of the auction.
In the Incentive Auction, the Commission intends to offer a uniform number of spectrum
licenses in most markets across the country. The Commission will not offer more spectrum in an
area than the amount offered in most markets nationwide. Rather, the Commission will offer the
same amount of spectrum nationwide in all areas where sufficient spectrum is available. In other
words, the fact that more spectrum may be available in rural areas than in urban areas does not
mean that additional rural spectrum will be made available for auction in those locations.
Page 2-The Honorable Ron Wyden
I appreciate your interest and concerns. Your letter will be placed in the appropriate
record. ~;;;U~
Tom Wheeler