OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS CoMMIssIoN
WASHINGTON
December 20, 2017
The Honorable Trent Franks
U.S. House of Representatives
2435 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Franks:
Thank you for your letter expressing your concern about the potential displacement of
TV translator stations resulting from the Broadcast Incentive Auction.
The Commission has recognized that secondary low power TV (LPTV) and TV translator
stations-including small, minority-owned, and niche stations-provide an important service
upon which viewers rely, particularly in rural communities. Because the Spectrum Act did not
explicitly protect LPTV and TV translator stations in the repacking process where, post-auction,
there is now a smaller TV band, we have taken an array of proactive steps to ensure that as
many of these stations as possible remain on the air so that they continue to reach viewers.
The Commission modified multiple rules to allow LPTV and TV translator stations to
"share" a channel. In other words, two or more stations can use the same channel at the same
time, sharing with other LPTV and TV translator stations or with full power and Class A
stations. These rules provide a new opportunity for LPTV and TV translator stations that are
impacted by repacking displacement to continue broadcasting.
The Commission also adopted rules allowing LPTV and TV translator stations operating
on channels being repurposed for 600 MHz wireless services to remain on their channels after
the auction unless and until new wireless providers notify these stations that they are ready to
commence operations, which in some instances may be several years from now.
We have also outlined in detail all of the procedures LPTV and TV translator stations
may avail themselves of during the post-auction transition. The Commission will open a special
window for LPTV and TV translator stations displaced by the auction in which they can apply to
switch to any open channels. Before the window opens we will publicly release data to help
stations identify potential new channels in the repacked TV band. To further ensure the utility of
the special displacement window and the data available to LPTV and TV translator stations, we
are temporarily lifting a freeze on station modifications that had been in effect since before the
incentive auction. Temporarily lifting the freeze prior to the special displacement window-
rather than afterward-gives LPTV and TV translator stations additional assurance that they will
not be displaced from their post-auction channel assignment in the near future.
Page 2-The Honorable Trent Franks
We have separately provided guidance for those stations that are asked to move by new
600 MHz wireless licensees in advance of the special displacement window. It is worth noting
that, in such cases, one auction winner has agreed to fund translator channel moves for all PBS-
affiliated translators as well as any low power station that requires both a temporary channel
move before the filing window and a permanent move as a result of a filing in the window.
Finally, the Commission has extended the deadline for analog LPTV and TV translator
stations to complete their transition to digital service from September 1, 2015 to July 13, 202 1-
12 months after the completion of the 39-month repacking period. This extension prevents a
station from spending large sums of money on new digital facilities before knowing whether it
will be displaced by the auction repacking process.
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further
assistance.
Sincerely,
Li -
itV. Pai
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
December20, 2017
The Honorable Kyrsten Sinema
U.S. House of Representatives
1725 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Sinema:
Thank you for your letter expressing your concern about the potential displacement of
TV translator stations resulting from the Broadcast Incentive Auction.
The Commission has recognized that secondary low power TV (LPTV) and TV translator
stations-including small, minority-owned, and niche stations-provide an important service
upon which viewers rely, particularly in rural communities. Because the Spectrum Act did not
explicitly protect LPTV and TV translator stations in the repacking process where, post-auction,
there is now a smaller TV band, we have taken an array of proactive steps to ensure that as
many of these stations as possible remain on the air so that they continue to reach viewers.
The Commission modified multiple rules to allow LPTV and TV translator stations to
'share" a channel. In other words, two or more stations can use the same channel at the same
time, sharing with other LPTV and TV translator stations or with full power and Class A
stations. These rules provide a new opportunity for LPTV and TV translator stations that are
impacted by repacking displacement to continue broadcasting.
The Commission also adopted rules allowing LPTV and TV translator stations operating
on channels being repurposed for 600 MHz wireless services to remain on their channels after
the auction unless and until new wireless providers notify these stations that they are ready to
commence operations, which in some instances may be several years from now.
We have also outlined in detail all of the procedures LPTV and TV translator stations
may avail themselves of during the post-auction transition. The Commission will open a special
window for LPTV and TV translator stations displaced by the auction in which they can apply to
switch to any open channels. Before the window opens we will publicly release data to help
stations identify potential new channels in the repacked TV band. To further ensure the utility of
the special displacement window and the data available to LPTV and TV translator stations, we
are temporarily lifting a freeze on station modifications that had been in effect since before the
incentive auction. Temporarily lifting the freeze prior to the special displacement window-
rather than afterward-gives LPTV and TV translator stations additional assurance that they will
not be displaced from their post-auction channel assignment in the near future.
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
Page 2-The Honorable Kyrsten Sinema
We have separately provided guidance for those stations that are asked to move by new
600 MHz wireless licensees in advance of the special displacement window. It is worth noting
that, in such cases, one auction winner has agreed to fund translator channel moves for all PBS-.
affiliated translators as well as any low power station that requires both a temporary channel
move before the filing window and a permanent move as a result of a filing in the window.
Finally, the Commission has extended the deadline for analog LPTV and TV translator
stations to complete their transition to digital service from September 1, 2015 to July 13, 2021-
12 months after the completion of the 39-month repacking period. This extension prevents a
station from spending large sums of money on new digital facilities before knowing whether it
will be displaced by the auction repacking process.
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further
assistance.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
December 20, 2017
The Honorable Tom OHalleran
U.S. House of Representatives
126 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman O'Halleran:
Thank you for your letter expressing your concern about the potential displacement of
TV translator stations resulting from the Broadcast Incentive Auction.
The Commission has recognized that secondary low power TV (LPTV) and TV translator
stations-including small, minority-owned, and niche stations-provide an important service
upon which viewers rely, particularly in rural communities. Because the Spectrum Act did not
explicitly protect LPTV and TV translator stations in the repacking process where, post-auction,
there is now a smaller TV band, we have taken an array of proactive steps to ensure that as
many of these stations as possible remain on the air so that they continue to reach viewers.
The Commission modified multiple rules to allow LPTV and TV translator stations to
"share" a channel. In other words, two or more stations can use the same channel at the same
time, sharing with other LPTV and TV translator stations or with full power and Class A
stations. These rules provide a new opportunity for LPTV and TV translator stations that are
impacted by repacking displacement to continue broadcasting.
The Commission also adopted rules allowing LPTV and TV translator stations operating
on channels being repurposed for 600 MHz wireless services to remain on their channels after
the auction unless and until new wireless providers notify these stations that they are ready to
commence operations, which in some instances may be several years from now.
We have also outlined in detail all of the procedures LPTV and TV translator stations
may avail themselves of during the post-auction transition. The Commission will open a special
window for LPTV and TV translator stations displaced by the auction in which they can apply to
switch to any open channels. Before the window opens we will publicly release data to help
stations identify potential new channels in the repacked TV band. To further ensure the utility of
the special displacement window and the data available to LPTV and TV translator stations, we
are temporarily lifting a freeze on station modifications that had been in effect since before the
incentive auction. Temporarily lifting the freeze prior to the special displacement window-
rather than afierward-gies LPTV and TV translator stations additional assurance that they will
not be displaced from their post-auction channel assignment in the near future.
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
Page 2-The Honorable Tom OHalleran
We have separately provided guidance for those stations that are asked to move by new
600 MHz wireless licensees in advance of the special displacement window. It is worth noting
that, in such cases, one auction winner has agreed to fund translator channel moves for all PBS-
affiliated translators as well as any low power station that requires both a temporary channel
move before the filing window and a permanent move as a result of a filing in the window.
Finally, the Commission has extended the deadline for analog LPTV and TV translator
stations to complete their transition to digital service from September 1, 2015 to July 13, 202 1-
12 months after the completion of the 39-month repacking period. This extension prevents a
station from spending large sums of money on new digital facilities before knowing whether it
will be displaced by the auction repacking process.
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further
assistance.
1)
	
Sincerely,
(j AjitV.Pai
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
December 20, 2017
The Honorable Paul Gosar
U.S. House of Representatives
2057 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Gosar:
Thank you for your letter expressing your concern about the potential displacement of
TV translator stations resulting from the Broadcast Incentive Auction.
The Commission has recognized that secondary low power TV (LPTV) and TV translator
stations-including small, minority-owned, and niche stations-provide an important service
upon which viewers rely, particularly in rural communities. Because the Spectrum Act did not
explicitly protect LPTV and TV translator stations in the repacking process where, post-auction,
there is now a smaller TV band, we have taken an array of proactive steps to ensure that as
many of these stations as possible remain on the air so that they continue to reach viewers.
The Commission modified multiple rules to allow LPTV and TV translator stations to
"share" a channel. In other words, two or more stations can use the same channel at the same
time, sharing with other LPTV and TV translator stations or with full power and Class A
stations. These rules provide a new opportunity for LPTV and TV translator stations that are
impacted by repacking displacement to continue broadcasting.
The Commission also adopted rules allowing LPTV and TV translator stations operating
on channels being repurposed for 600 MHz wireless services to remain on their channels after
the auction unless and until new wireless providers notify these stations that they are ready to
commence operations, which in some instances may be several years from now.
We have also outlined in detail all of the procedures LPTV and TV translator stations
may avail themselves of during the post-auction transition. The Commission will open a special
window for LPTV and TV translator stations displaced by the auction in which they can apply to
switch to any open channels. Before the window opens we will publicly release data to help
stations identify potential new channels in the repacked TV band. To further ensure the utility of
the special displacement window and the data available to LPTV and TV translator stations, we
are temporarily lifting a freeze on station modifications that had been in effect since before the
incentive auction. Temporarily lifting the freeze prior to the special displacement window-
rather than afterward-gives LPTV and TV translator stations additional assurance that they will
not be displaced from their post-auction channel assignment in the near future.
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
Page 2-The Honorable Paul Gosar
We have separately provided guidance for those stations that are asked to move by new
600 MHz wireless licensees in advance of the special displacement window. It is worth noting
that, in such cases, one auction winner has agreed to fund translator channel moves for all PBS-
affiliated translators as well as any low power station that requires both a temporary channel
move before the filing window and a permanent move as a result of a filing in the window.
Finally, the Commission has extended the deadline for analog LPTV and TV translator
stations to complete their transition to digital service from September 1, 2015 to July 13, 2021-
12 months after the completion of the 39-month repacking period. This extension prevents a
station from spending large sums of money on new digital facilities before knowing whether it
will be displaced by the auction repacking process.
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further
assistance.
Sincerely,
AjitY. Pai
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN December 20, 2017
The Honorable Raül M. Grijalva
U.S. House of Representatives
1511 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Grij lava:
Thank you for your letter expressing your concern about the potential displacement of
TV translator stations resulting from the Broadcast Incentive Auction.
The Commission has recognized that secondary low power TV (LPTV) and TV translator
stations-including small, minority-owned, and niche stations-provide an important service
upon which viewers rely, particularly in rural communities. Because the Spectrum Act did not
explicitly protect LPTV and TV translator stations in the repacking process where, post-auction,
there is now a smaller TV band, we have taken an array of proactive steps to ensure that as
many of these stations as possible remain on the air so that they continue to reach viewers.
The Commission modified multiple rules to allow LPTV and TV translator stations to
"share" a channel. In other words, two or more stations can use the same channel at the same
time, sharing with other LPTV and TV translator stations or with full power and Class A
stations. These rules provide a new opportunity for LPTV and TV translator stations that are
impacted by repacking displacement to continue broadcasting.
The Commission also adopted rules allowing LPTV and TV translator stations operating
on channels being repurposed for 600 MHz wireless services to remain on their channels after
the auction unless and until new wireless providers notify these stations that they are ready to
commence operations, which in some instances may be several years from now.
We have also outlined in detail all of the procedures LPTV and TV translator stations
may avail themselves of during the post-auction transition. The Commission will open a special
window for LPTV and TV translator stations displaced by the auction in which they can apply to
switch to any open channels. Before the window opens we will publicly release data to help
stations identify potential new channels in the repacked TV band. To further ensure the utility of
the special displacement window and the data available to LPTV and TV translator stations, we
are temporarily lifting a freeze on station modifications that had been in effect since before the
incentive auction. Temporarily lifting the freeze prior to the special displacement window-
Page 2-The Honorable Raül M. Grijalva
rather than afterward-gives LPTV and TV translator stations additional assurance that they will
not be displaced from their post-auction channel assignment in the near future.
We have separately provided guidance for those stations that are asked to move by new
600 MHz wireless licensees in advance of the special displacement window. It is worth noting
that, in such cases, one auction winner has agreed to fund translator channel moves for all PBS-
affiliated translators as well as any low power station that requires both a temporary channel
move before the filing window and a permanent move as a result of a filing in the window.
Finally, the Commission has extended the deadline for analog LPTV and TV translator
stations to complete their transition to digital service from September 1, 2015 to July 13, 2021-
12 months after the completion of the 39-month repacking period. This extension prevents a
station from spending large sums of money on new digital facilities before knowing whether it
will be displaced by the auction repacking process.
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further
assistance.
Sincerely,
AjitV. Pai