Media Contact: Janice Wise, (202) 418-8165 janice.wise@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC PROPOSES TO STREAMLINE AND MODIFY FM TRANSLATOR INTERFERENCE COMPLAINT & REMEDIATION PROCEDURES Proposals Would Provide Greater Certainty for Full Power and Translator Licensees -- WASHINGTON, May 10, 2018—The Federal Communications Commission today issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to streamline FM translator interference complaint and remediation procedures. FM translator stations simultaneously rebroadcast the signal of a primary AM or FM station or another FM translator signal on a different frequency. As secondary stations, translators are required to eliminate all interference or stop broadcasting. Due to the success of the AM revitalization proceeding and the resulting substantial increase in translator licenses, the process for resolving FM translator interference complaints has become more important. As a result, this is an appropriate time for the Commission to examine how to streamline and expedite the complaint resolution process. Among other things, the NPRM tentatively concludes that: ? If interference is shown to or from any other station, FM translators should have greater flexibility to move to another available frequency; ? A minimum of six complaints should be required to support an interference claim; ? Revised rules are needed to clarify and standardize complaint requirements; ? Proposed technical criteria should be used to assess actual and predicted interference; and ? An outer distance limit should be created beyond which interference complaints would not be actionable. These proposed changes are designed to provide greater certainty to full-power stations regarding complaint requirements, limit contentious factual disputes and ensure prompt and consistent relief from actual translator interference. Action by the Commission May 10, 2018 by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 18-60). Chairman Pai, Commissioners O’Rielly, Carr, and Rosenworcel approving. Commissioner Clyburn not participating. Chairman Pai, Commissioners O’Rielly, and Carr issuing separate statements. MB Docket No. 18-119 ### Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 ASL Videophone: (844) 432-2275 TTY: (888) 835-5322 www.fcc.gov/media-relations This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).