FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
July 15,2015
The Honorable Pete Olson
U.S. House of Representatives
312 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Olson:
Thank you for your letter supporting the AM Revitalization Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, including the opening of an AM-only window for FM translators. Your input is
very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding.
Commission staff is continuing to review the record in the proceeding and is developing
recommendations for the full Commission's consideration. The Commission has proposed,
among other things, to have an exclusive filing window for AM stations to apply for FM
translator stations and modest modifications to existing technical rules. In evaluating that
proposal, the Commission has to determine whether there is still a need to have an exclusive
window given the current availability of FM translator licenses. The number of FM translator
licenses has grown from 3,800 in 2003 to about 6,300 today. An additional 1,600 new licenses
will be issued over the next 12-18 months. We also proposed modest technical changes that
would not erode current AM protection standards. However, stakeholders have proposed other
thoughtful changes that need to be carefully evaluated to ensure that we are not creating new
interference.
As you mention, I referenced my plans to conclude this item in a recent blog post and in
the speech I gave at the annual conference for the National Association of Broadcasters this
spring. I look forward to putting forth a proposal for my fellow Commissioners to consider in
the near term that is based upon the record after careful consideration of all the views expressed,
including yours.
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further
assistance.
Sincerely, ~~!tl-
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
July 15,2015
The Honorable Gene Green
U.S. House of Representatives
2470 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Green:
Thank you for your letter supporting the AM Revitalization Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, including the opening of an AM-only window for FM translators. Your input is
very important and will be included in the record of the proceeding.
Commission staff is continuing to review the record in the proceeding and is developing
recommendations for the full Commission's consideration. The Commission has proposed,
among other things, to have an exclusive filing window for AM stations to apply for FM
translator stations and modest modifications to existing technical rules. In evaluating that
proposal, the Commission has to determine whether there is still a need to have an exclusive
window given the current availability of FM translator licenses. The number of FM translator
licenses has grown from 3,800 in 2003 to about 6,300 today. An additional 1,600 new licenses
will be issued over the next 12-18 months. We also proposed modest technical changes that
would not erode current AM protection standards. However, stakeholders have proposed other
thoughtful changes that need to be carefully evaluated to ensure that we are not creating new
interference.
As you mention, I referenced my plans to conclude this item in a recent blog post and in
the speech I gave at the annual conference for the National Association of Broadcasters this
spring. I look forward to putting forth a proposal for my fellow Commissioners to consider in
the near term that is based upon the record after careful consideration of all the views expressed,
including yours.
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further
assistance. Sincer:I!(!-~eler