82 FR 32700 - Tools Available To Displaced Low Power Television and TV Translator Stations

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 135 (July 17, 2017)

This document sets forth tools available to low power television and TV translator stations that are displaced prior to the opening of the Special Displacement Window in the first quarter of 2018.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 135 (Monday, July 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32700-32701]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14882]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

 [MB Docket No. 16-306; GN Docket No. 12-268; DA 17-584]


Tools Available To Displaced Low Power Television and TV 
Translator Stations

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document sets forth tools available to low power 
television and TV translator stations that are displaced prior to the 
opening of the Special Displacement Window in the first quarter of 
2018.

DATES: July 17, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joyce Bernstein, 
[email protected] or Hossein Hashemzadeh, 
[email protected], Video Division, Media Bureau, Federal 
Communications Commission.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Auction 1000, which was conducted pursuant 
to Title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 
2012, was completed on April 13, 2017, and on June 14, 2017, the 
Commission granted 2,317 licenses to new wireless licensees in the 600 
MHz Band (former television channels 38 through 51 spectrum). Low power 
television, analog-to-digital replacement translators, and TV 
translator stations (LPTV/translator stations) on channels 38 through 
51 must terminate operation or resolve interference if they receive 
notice of likely interference to a new 600 MHz Band licensee that 
intends to commence operations or conduct first field application (FFA) 
testing. This notice must be in the form of a letter to the LPTV/
translator station not less than 120 days in advance of the commence 
operations or FFA testing date (120-day notice) and the LPTV/translator 
station must cease operations or eliminate the likelihood of harmful 
interference by that date. One of the recipients of the licenses 
granted on June 14, 2017 has indicated that it may commence operations 
or conduct FFA testing using some of its 600 MHz Band licenses later 
this year, thereby displacing some LPTV/translator stations.
    There is currently a freeze on the filing of displacement 
applications (Displacement Freeze) and the Commission will release a 
Displacement Public Notice announcing the date of a Special 
Displacement Window for operating LPTV/translator stations subject to 
displacement as a result of the incentive auction and repacking

[[Page 32701]]

process. The Commission anticipates that the Special Displacement 
Window will most likely open in the first quarter of 2018, and it 
therefore appears that some LPTV/translator stations may be displaced 
by a new 600 MHz Band licensee in 2017, prior to the Special 
Displacement Window opening in 2018.
    In order to permit these displaced stations to continue to provide 
service to viewers with as little disruption as possible, this document 
sets forth two mechanisms stations may use to stay on the air. First, 
until the Special Displacement Window opens, an LPTV/translator station 
that receives 120-day notice from a wireless licensee may seek to 
operate on a temporary channel by submitting a displacement 
application, together with a request for waiver of the Displacement 
Freeze, and for Special Temporary Authority (STA) to operate on the 
channel proposed in the displacement application. The ability to 
operate on a temporary channel is limited to operating LPTV/translator 
stations on channels 36 through 51 that have received a 120-day notice 
and whose termination of operation date will occur before the Special 
Displacement Window opens (eligible LPTV/translator stations). 
Displacement applications that do not include a copy of the 120-day 
notice will be dismissed. Displacement applications must also comply 
with the Commission's rules and will be treated as if filed on the last 
day of the Special Displacement Window. In considering an STA request 
the Commission will determine whether the proposed displacement 
facility complies with technical and interference rules, and stations 
granted an STA to operate on facilities proposed in their displacement 
applications may be required to terminate their STA operations if their 
application is ultimately not granted.
    Eligible LPTV/translator stations may also channel share to 
continue to provide service to viewers in area where channel 
availability is limited. Two or more eligible LPTV/translator stations 
may each request a waiver of the Displacement Freeze and submit a 
displacement application that proposes to share a channel with the 
other station(s), as well as a request for an STA. Displaced LPTV/
translator stations may also submit an application to channel share 
with another LPTV/translator station that has not received a 120-day 
notice and such applications are not subject to the Displacement Freeze 
and may be filed at any time.

Federal Communications Commission.
Barbara Kreisman,
Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2017-14882 Filed 7-14-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P