As Common Frequency previously announced, the FCC is open a filing window for nonprofits, churches, and educational institutions for limited supply of FM channels (non-commercial, educational, or "NCE" channels) for new stations primarily in mostly rural areas across the United States.

The FCC has released a summary of the filing window procedures, found here.  The following briefly summarizes 

The next licensing window opportunity to apply for a full-power Non-Commercial Educational FM station construction permit begins Nov. 2, 2021, and runs until Nov. 9. This is a rare opportunity for qualified non-profit organizations to build a new full-powered FM station. If your organization is interested, now is the time to start planning.

The FCC has recently has accepted a petition for rulemaking proposing an upgrade to Low Power FM service's maximum power to 250 watts.  REC Networks Petition for Rulemaking (PRM), RM-11909, filed over a year ago, proposes a simplified approach for a 250 watt Low Power FM (LPFM) class.  The current maximum wattage for LPFM is 100 watts.

Low Power FM (LPFM) stations have been challenged in recent years due to incoming inference on the FM band due to the total increase in FM licensed facilities placing signals in areas that once had no signal.  In 2020, the FCC opened a LPFM Technical Rules rule making to streamline some of the LPFM rules, with consideration of upgrading the power of LPFM from 100 watts to 250 watts.  The LPFM Technical Report and Order (MB Docket 19-193) eventually flatly rejected the proposed wattage improveme

All broadcast radio stations must file for station renewal between 2019 and 2022 within the FCC's 7-year licensing cycle.   This formally requires the submission of Form 303-S, and for all full power stations, the additional Form 396 (Employment Opportunity Program Report -- LPFM and FM translators need not file this).

Low Power FM (or “LPFM”) is a 100-watt non-commercial FM radio broadcast service developed for non-profits, churches, educational institutions, and public safety entities to take back the airwaves with meaningful locally-created programming.  If you have never heard of it, it is because the roll-out has been stunted.by poor rules guiding where the stations can be located, lobbying from the commercial radio industry, and resistance from the Federal Communications Commission during conservative administrations.  LPFM is currently in need of public support and legal action due to new circumstances that have curtailed its availability.

Read through below to learn more and hear about how you can help preserve the airwaves for the people.

On April 2, 2020 the FCC released a draft copy of the Report and Order MB Docket No.

On February 4, 2020 the FCC released a Letter Decision denying a contest from Common Frequency and Prometheus Radio Project over the licensing of a new FM translator W239DS in Camden, N.J.

Common Frequency Inc., a non-profit that promotes community and college radio, wrote: “The commission writes, ‘Historically, some analog LPTV stations licensed on Channel 6 have operated with very limited visual programming and an audio signal that is programmed like a radio station.’ This is a polite way of stating that these LPTV facilities have ignored Section 73.682 of the commission’s rules and have been broadcasting at 300% of the allowable audio modulation to market itself as a radio station at 87.7 MHz on the FM dial instead of a television station. 

The FCC completed accepting comments for Docket MB Docket No. 19-310 concerning duplication of radio programming.  Under the FCC's Modernization of Media Regulation Initiative, the current administration is leaving no stoned unturned to dispose of pesky regulations that the industry would rather not have.