*Pages 1--1 from  Microsoft Word - 47169.doc*
 STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  JONATHAN  S.  ADELSTEIN 
 In  the  Matter  of  Creation  of  a  Low  Power  Radio  Service,  MM  Docket  No.  99-  25,  Second  Order  on  Reconsideration  &  Further  Notice  of  Proposed  Rulemaking  (FCC  05-  75) 


 I’m  pleased  to  support  today’s  item,  designed  to  move  the  ball  forward  in  the  further  development  of  low  power  FM  radio.  LPFM  provides  local  communities  with  new  voices,  which 
 is  so  important,  especially  in  today’s  era  of  excessive  radio  consolidation.  The  public  should  have  greater  diversity  on  the  radio  dial.  The  Commission’s  action  today  will  provide  immediate 
 relief  to  dozens  of  stations  that  need  additional  time  to  complete  construction  or  effect  ownership  changes.  I  look  forward  to  addressing  the  issues  raised  in  the  item  that  are  critical  to  the 
 expansion  of  this  emerging  radio  service,  which  is  possible  to  accomplish  without  causing  interference  to  existing  broadcasters. 


 One  of  the  most  significant  obstacles  to  further  development  of  LPFM  isn’t  addressed  by  today’s  item,  however,  because  the  Commission  is  currently  prohibited  by  statute  from  fixing  it. 
 LPFM  stations  are  currently  required  to  protect  full-  power  FM  stations  operating  on  third-adjacent  channels.  The  Commission  initially  concluded  that  such  protection  isn’t  necessary.  The 
 Mitre  Corporation,  in  its  independent  and  Congressionally-  mandated  study,  reached  the  same  conclusion,  and  the  Commission  has  therefore  recommended  that  Congress  lift  the  statutory 
 restriction.  I  therefore  hope  that  Congress  will  act  soon  on  Senator  McCain’s  bill  to  remove  this  unnecessary  requirement,  allowing  LPFM  to  develop  more  and  provide  new  voices  to  an  even 
 greater  segment  of  the  population,  without  causing  harmful  interference  to  existing  broadcasters. 
1