[IRCA] FCC Bows to Big Money, Dumps on Listeners, and Approves Night AM IBOC

["Rene F. Tetro" <rtetro@xxxxxxxxx>]

>From Radio World:
 --------------------------------------------------
IBOC Rules Pass FCC in 'Historic' Vote

The FCC voted for final authorization for IBOC today.

The decision, when it takes effect, would allow all AMs to go digital at 
night. Audio Division Chief Peter Doyle told RW Online there would be a 
procedure established to handle interference issues, should those occur. The 
decision also gives a green light to multicasting, so broadcasters no longer 
need to apply for experimental authority to multicast.

The digital conversion is not mandated and the item allows for FM 
translators, boosters and LPFMs, if technically feasible, to go IBOC as 
well.

The vote was 5-0. Democratic commissioners objected to portions of the rule, 
but voted for the item. Democrats Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein 
wanted to establish whether additional public interest obligations should 
apply to the digital channels and to multicast channels used for 
subscriptions channels in particular. The FCC is seeking comments on this 
item.

All the commissioners called the digital radio vote historic, and 
Commissioner Robert McDowell noted that his colleagues really could have had 
the rules done at last July's meeting.

IBOC Proponents Breathe Sigh of Relief

After the vote to authorize final IBOC rules, Ibiquity General Counsel Al 
Shuldiner said the rules give greater clarity to broadcasters. "I'm 
ecstatic," he told RW Online at the commission.

He was also pleased the agency voted to authorize dual-antenna operation 
without the need to apply for an STA.

During the meeting, one commissioner singled out public radio for achieving 
advancements in multicasting, mentioning WAMU(FM), Washington's multicast 
channel of AAA music from WTMD(FM), Towson, Md.

NPR CTO & Executive Director of NPR Labs Mike Starling, attending the 
meeting, said the fact that IBOC will no longer be considered experimental 
will go a long way to ensure confidence of receiver manufacturers and 
broadcasters. "Today's approval of full multicasting authority opens doors 
we only dreamed of six years ago," he said.

Rene F. Tetro
Chief Engineer
Salem Communications - Philadelphia
WNTP-AM / WFIL-AM
117 Ridge Pike
Lafayette Hill, PA  19444
Phone:  610- 828-6965  Extension 41
Fax:  610-828-6725
Email:  rtetro@xxxxxxxxx

"Blessed are the peacemakers....." (Mat. 5)

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