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FCC meeting clarifies Robocall TCPA rules, In-space Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing, multi-lingual EAS NPRM & WMAS tech for wireless microphones.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) retains the broadcast ownership rules with minor modifications in compliance with the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which requires the Commission to review its broadcast ownership rules quadrennially to determine whether they are necessary in the public interest as a result of competition. Specifically, the Commission retains the Dual Network Rule, modifies the Local Radio Ownership Rule to make permanent the interim contour-overlap methodology long used to determine ownership limits in areas outside the boundaries of defined Nielsen Audio Metro markets and in Puerto Rico, and modifies the Local Television Ownership Rule to reflect changes that have occurred in the television marketplace and current industry practices.

FCC acts swiftly on deepfake robocalls before New Hampshire Primary.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) issues a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to prioritize processing review of certain applications filed by commercial and noncommercial radio and television broadcast stations that provide locally originated programming. The Commission's goal is to provide additional incentive to stations to provide programming that responds to the needs and interests of the communities they are licensed to serve. In 2017, the Commission eliminated the rule that required broadcast stations to maintain a main studio located in or near their community of license, as well as the associated requirement that the main studio have program origination capability. We propose this processing priority in order to further encourage radio and TV stations to serve their community of license with local journalism or other locally originated programming. Such prioritization would be granted to renewal applicants, as well as applicants for assignment or transfer of license, that certify they provide locally originated programming, thereby advancing our efforts to promote localism and serve local communities across the nation.

LPFM grants have begun. Sage releases Rev96 upgrade.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) adopts several rule updates for full power and Class A television stations that no longer have any practical effect given the completion of the transition from analog to digital-only operations and the post incentive auction transition to a smaller television band with fewer channels. The Commission also adopts a restructuring of its full power television rules, which largely consist of the technical licensing, operating, and interference rules for full power television.

Carr and Starks hints on the start of the booster boom. Commentary: Multilingual EAS - good idea - but this is not the time and stations simply do not have the spare money.

The Video Division, Media Bureau (Bureau), has before it a notice of proposed rulemaking issued in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by TV 49, Inc. (TV-49 or Petitioner), the permittee of an unbuilt television station on channel 31 allotted to Wittenberg, Wisconsin. The Petitioner has requested that the Commission delete channel 31 from Wittenberg and allot it to Shawano, Wisconsin in the Table of TV Allotments and modify its construction permit to specify Shawano as its community of license. TV-49 filed comments in support of the petition, as required by the rules, reaffirming its commitment to file for channel 31 at Shawano.

Two telecoms dinged a total of $30M for fraud in the Emergency Broadband Benefit and Affordable Connectivity Program. Nebraska broadcaster pays $8K to settle family trust issues. LPFM window filing freeze is lifted on 1-31 at 6PM EST.

FCC adopts NALs for 5 Miami pirates including a $2.3M megadinger. FCC proposes requiring broadcasters to file disaster reports. FCC also mandates location-based 911 for wireless providers and updates 70/80/90 GHz rules. FCC announces February Open Meeting agenda.

FCC sends Congress their FY 2023 annual report on the PIRATE Act. FCC announces some tentative selectees (including changes) from the 2021 NCE window. Audio continuing to process new LPFM applications.

The Video Division, Media Bureau (Bureau), has before it a petition for rulemaking filed January 9, 2024, by VPM Media Corporation (Petitioner). The Petitioner requests the allotment of reserved noncommercial educational (NCE) television channel *12 to Waynesboro, Virginia (Waynesboro), as the community's first local television service and its first NCE television service.

Sage to include FEMA certificates with Rev96 update. Congress to vote on averting a government shutdown.

FCC adopts NPRMs to encourage broadcast localism and to protect cable customers.

A detox on the 2023 LPFM Filing Window.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts rules to implement the Low Power Protection Act (LPPA or Act), which was enacted on January 5, 2023. The LPPA provides certain low power television (LPTV) stations with a limited window of opportunity to apply for primary spectrum use status as Class A television stations. With limited exceptions, the rules adopted herein are consistent with the Commission's proposals in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in this proceeding. In this Order, we further the implementation of the LPPA by establishing the period during which eligible stations may file applications for Class A status, eligibility and interference requirements, and the process for submitting applications.

This document amends the Table of FM Allotments, of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules, by allotting FM Channel 225A at Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, as a Tribal Allotment. The staff engineering analysis indicates that Channel 225A can be allotted to Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Commission's rules, with a site restriction of 12.1 km (7.5 miles) northwest of the community. The reference coordinates are 46-01-14 NL and 89-44-54 WL.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements associated with the Commission's rules in a Report and Order which adopts rules to clarify for all stakeholders the status of LPTV FM6 service and codify that these services may be provided by a group of 14 existing FM6 stations, and only by those stations. This document is consistent with the Commission's Report and Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of those rules.

The Video Division, Media Bureau (Bureau), has before it a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued in response to a Petition for Rulemaking filed by the Dove Media, Inc. (Petitioner). The Petitioner requests the allotment of reserved noncommercial educational (NCE) channel *4 to Jacksonville, Oregon (Jacksonville), in the Table of TV Allotments as the community's first local television service and its first NCE television service. The Petitioner filed comments in support of the petition, as required by the Commission's rules (rules), reaffirming its commitment to apply for channel *4 and if authorized, to construct the facility.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) that proposes to remove the baud rate limitation in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 meter band), 472-479 kHz (630 meter band), the very high frequency (VHF) bands, and the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band in the amateur radio service. The VHF bands with baud rates are the 6 meter band (50.1-51.0 MHz), (51.0-54.0 MHz); 2 meter band (144.1-148.0 MHz); and the 1.25 meter band (222-225 MHz). The UHF band with a baud rate is the 70 centimeter band (420-450 MHz). Additionally, the FNPRM proposes to maintain the existing bandwidth limitations in the Commission's rules for these VHF/UHF bands and seeks comment on the appropriate bandwidth limitation for the 2200 meter and 630 meter bands.