Industry News

(L–R) Frank Montero, Joel Oxley and Paul McLane.

The American Academy of Radio is celebrating this week’s World Radio Day (Feb. 13) by naming WTOP in Washington, as the first U.S. station to receive its World Radio Day Award.

The award was presented Tuesday to Senior Vice President and General Manager Joel Oxley at WTOP’s new studio facility by two members of the jury, Frank Montero, an attorney with Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, and Paul McLane, the editor in chief of trade publication Radio World.

Other jury members included Heather Cohen of the Weiss Agency, Michael Harrison of Talkers Magazine, longtime broadcaster Bob Kieve, consultant Mike McVay, Deborah Parenti of Radio Ink and Paul Rotella of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association.

The announcement was made by Jorge Álvarez, president of the Spanish Academy of Radio, whose advocacy for World Radio Day helped prompt U.N. recognition of the day. The date of Feb. 13 was settled on because it also marks the anniversary of the founding of United Nations Radio in 1946.

WTOP is Hubbard Radio’s all-news flagship station in Washington, which is Nielsen Radio Market #7. Five million people age 12+ live in the metropolitan area. The city is a globally important national capital and a vibrant local media market, with crowded suburbs and a city government and two state governments to cover; a severe traffic situation; variable weather; and a vibrant pro and college sports environment. WTOP is one of the most recognizable media brands in the city and is also the top-earning commercial station not only in Washington but in the country, according to BIA Kelsey.

[Related: “World Radio Day Organizers Raise U.S. Profile”]

World Radio Day was adopted in 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting radio as “a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity [that] constitutes a platform for democratic discourse,” according to a UNESCO website.

In making the presentation, McLane said WTOP was chosen in part for its notable success at building and sustaining a media business around core concepts of localism and service to a specific and unique marketplace of listeners.

Last year’s recipient of the award was Gordon Smith, president/CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, recognizing Smith’s help in establishing World Radio Day.

All radio stations can find assets to celebrate World Radio Day at its UNESCO website.

Watch a short video message about radio from the U.N. Secretary General António Guterres.

 

The post WTOP Receives World Radio Day Award appeared first on Radio World.

The author is field service engineer for Wheatstone, Audioarts, and PR&E products.

I’m often amazed at what engineers will do to keep older consoles on air.

If you’re currently supporting analog and/or digital consoles designed in the 1990s and the aughts (2000-2009), I don’t need to tell you of the challenges! Here are five proven steps for transitioning your facility to AoIP, whether that takes place this year or next.

Richard Maddox

STEP 1

Convert Existing Wiring One Device at a Time

Almost all new between-equipment wiring uses unshielded CAT5e or CAT6 cables. It’s possible to use these two CAT cables, which have identical specs for our usage, to connect analog audio, AES-3 audio, AoIP audio streams, ethernet for KVMs and VoIP/SIP phones as well as your facility’s LAN connections.

CAT6 has a thicker sheathing and tighter twists in its four wire pairs than CAT5e. This makes it more resistant to crosstalk but also slightly harder to handle. Many broadcasters have standardized on using UTP (unshielded twisted pair) CAT5e as their interconnection cable of choice.

A typical AoIP configuration showing all sources available to console surfaces and devices.

When moving to category cables to connect up just about everything, there are two main approaches. Either buy pre-made “patch cables” in various common lengths like 6-foot, 15-foot, 25-foot, etc. Or buy reels of raw CAT5e cable and bags or boxes of RJ45 plugs so you can create your own custom-length cables. It really boils down to how much time you have and how much you like crimping RJ45 plugs onto cables.

Since the IT industry uses CAT5e and CAT6 cables by the truckload, the price for category cabling and plugs means your cabling cost (whether making custom length cables yourself or using off-the-shelf “bagged” cables) is a fraction of what it would be to run shielded balanced audio cables around your facility.

STEP 2

Adapt, Adapt, Adapt

Most audio and broadcast equipment has not transitioned to adding an RJ45 jack for their analog or AES signals, therefore you’ll still need XLR or TRS plugs on your cables. This means you’ll need to terminate your CAT5e cabling at one end to something other than RJ45. You could solder the plugs directly to the category cable wire pairs, but that’s messy and time-consuming.

An easier solution that will cost about US$20 (approximately €18) is to use RJ45-to-XLR and RJ45-to-TRS adapters to connect new equipment using CAT5e without having to solder anything.

RJ45 adapters are available for just about every connector type, but not for the AMP MOD IV plugs used since the mid-90s on all PR&E consoles (except Oasis). No one makes an RJ45-to-MOD IV adapter, but there are RJ45-to-pigtail adapters, so with a bit of hand crimping of the MOD IV terminals onto the pigtails, you can roll your own MOD IV-to-RJ45 adapters.

By the way, it’s possible to repurpose any custom MOD IV adapter you make later as an RJ45 adapter for a satellite receiver or other equipment using D-sub and other non-standard jacks.

STEP 3

Add I/O Devices

You’re likely already familiar with the concept of distributed I/O, where one “I/O interface box” is mounted in each rack to connect all the equipment within that rack. Each I/O box then connects to a main router using a single CAT5e cable.

An AoIP system is configured in much the same way. For example, a WheatNet BLADE is an AoIP I/O box with eight stereo inputs and eight stereo outputs on RJ45 jacks to connect local signals.

The BLADE then connects, again using a CAT5e cable, to a gigabit Ethernet switch to network it with the other BLADEs in the system. So any discrete local input can be streamed to any other BLADE or console in the plant, and any other system signal can be streamed to any local output on that BLADE.

If you have a VistaMax system, or any brand of TDM router, with some spare I/O (like eight unused AES ins and eight AES outs), then you’re prepared to begin the transition to AoIP. Connecting that spare AES I/O to an AES Blade (using 16 CAT5e cables) means you now can convert one or two studios to AoIP consoles while continuing to use your existing router.

These eight “tie lines” allow signals from the new consoles (PGM, bus-minus, etc.) to feed the existing router, and the router system to send common signals like off-air-tuners, EAS, satellite feeds, hybrids, etc. to the AoIP consoles. A couple non-dedicated tie lines allows users to change signals from one system to the other as necessary.

AoIP Advocates Snag Technical Emmy

STEP 4

Add An AoIP Console or Two

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Adding an AoIP console in the main studio, for example, offers a world of features, like source selection, bus-minus, and audio processing on every fader, which were not available on any twenty-year-old console. AoIP consoles typically cost about the same, or even less, than a 20-year-old console did when new. For example, you can obtain an eight-channel AoIP console like the Audioarts DMX for under $8,000 (about €7,250), pretty much the price for a NetWave-8 console from the early 00s.

STEP 5

Plan for Obsolescence

An analog exit strategy is crucial, whether you can do it all at once in a complete studio rebuild, or by updating one studio at a time.

Start by looking at all the activities that take place in your facility. Consider how you feed your air chain and your internet streams. Just about everything can be simplified by moving to AoIP. For instance, what type of playback system are you using? If it supports AoIP streaming, then you can kiss your audio cards and Bob boxes good-bye forever.

Same for your VoxPro and other PC-based audio editors. When you move to AoIP, it’s possible to network each server and PC that handles audio directly into the AoIP system. To do this, use a dedicated NIC and one CAT5e cable. There is no other hardware necessary beyond an available port on a network switch. Once you make the switch to AoIP, you open up so many other doors.

Adding appliances like the PhoneBLADE allow you to integrate your VoIP phone system into your AoIP system. Other AoIP appliances, like StreamBLADE, give you the codec and processing tools for managing multiple streams. Still other appliances can extend AoIP beyond the studio so you can connect with other studios or remote locations.

Even if you can’t jump into AoIP with both feet, taking these steps will give you some, and eventually, all the benefits of an AoIP facility.

Richard Maddox joined PR&E in 1993 as their Digital Product Specialist, with later stints in the Engineering, Systems Design, and Customer Service departments. When Wheatstone purchased PR&E assets, he joined Wheatstone to continue supporting legacy PR&E products. He now supports the full line of current Wheatstone-designed products from his location in Southern California.

The post How to Transition to AoIP in Five Steps appeared first on Radio World.

John Records Landecker, a longtime top 40 DJ whose shows and interactive phone bits have influenced many others in radio, will be in the spotlight when the 2020 NAB Show comes to Las Vegas.

The selection of a classic air talent to join the NAB’s Broadcasting Hall of Fame comes during a winter when the role of the American DJ has been challenged by technology.

Not that National Association of Broadcasters made any mention of recent iHeart headlines in naming Landecker, whose selection was likely decided well in advance.

NAB Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs Steve Newberry hailed Landecker’s “profound impact on radio” and said his induction “symbolizes the personal connection between DJs and their audiences and how innovative personalities can influence radio programming.”

But those connections have been squarely in the middle of debate in American radio over recent weeks, as the industry digested the announcement by iHeartMedia that it would put artificial intelligence and other technologies to work in its programming, and proceeded to lay off hundreds or more of its air talent.

So regardless of intentions with this award, it may be with some taste of bittersweet that the NAB will induct a classic radio jock into its Hall of Fame. It’ll do so during the Achievement in Broadcasting Dinner on April 20 at the Encore.

“Landecker is best known for his tenure as the evening personality at WLS(AM) Chicago, a 50,000-watt station reaching audiences in some 40 states,” NAB stated in the announcement. “His signature style included incorporating satirical songs and bits based on current events into the program, as well as his trademark saying, ‘Records truly is my middle name.’”

The association noted that Landecker is credited for introducing some of the first interactive phone features on top 40 radio.

According to the bio, his 50-year career began as a high school student at WOIA(AM) in Saline, Mich. He stayed on the air throughout college in Michigan, working at WTRK(AM) in Flint, WERX(AM) in Grand Rapids and WILS(AM) in Lansing. “Landecker later entertained listeners with stints at WIBG(FM), Philadelphia; CFTR(AM), Toronto; WPHR(FM), Cleveland, WJMK(FM), Chicago and WGN(AM), Chicago.”

[Read Radio World’s interview with last year’s honoree Cathy Hughes.]

Additionally, Landecker has released six albums and written an autobiography. Today he hosts a weekly program on WEFM(FM) Michigan City, Ind.

Landecker has won other notable honors including induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame; and his work is acknowledged in the radio exhibit of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Read the honor role of past inductees.

 

The post Landecker to Be Honored at NAB Show Las Vegas appeared first on Radio World.

The AEQ Systel IP broadcast telephone and multiconference solution operates on VoIP phone lines. The system is based on a digital matrix designed to manage IP lines.

The company says the interface offers a dynamic and flexible workflow for various scenarios including radio, television or corporate.

It’s possible to operate AEQ Systel IP through dedicated software on PC. Staff can also operate the system through the Systelset+ handset, a touchscreen IP phone with an intuitive interface to manage incoming calls.

The company recently released the new Systel IP Basic engine version. It’s a 19-inch, single-rack unit able to work as a multi-line IP phone with SIP signaling protocol. The basic version features eight IP phone lines and four additional hidden for Systel Set + handsets.

The engine features four digital audio inputs and outputs as well as two analog audio inputs and outputs. It also offers 32 AoIP inputs and outputs based on Dante protocol/AES67- compatible. That means it’s possible to integrated into an AoIP net and route the calls inside the IP network.

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

Users can upgrade the AEQ Systel IP Basic to Systel IP 16 through a software license. This allows expansion to a bigger system in the future, either to service more studios or to add more simultaneous calls on air.

For information, contact AEQ in Spain at +34-916-861300 or visit www.aeq.eu.

The post AEQ Adds to Systel IP Phone System appeared first on Radio World.

As it gets closer to the RadioDays Europe 2020 edition in Lisbon, Portugal, organizers continue to announce conference’s lineup of speakers and other sessions.

The coordinators have added eight new speakers to the RadioDays Europe agenda.

Among them are Niina Jokiaho, head of Radio Nova, Bauer Media Audio; Johannes Saukko, radio content director at Sonoma; Yolanda Tati, an entertainer, content director, digital entrepreneur and female social activist; and Mary Hoogerbrugge, branding specialist from De Positioneerders.

Author and journalist Sophian Fanen; Laurie Palacio, deputy head of talkSPORT; Renata Silva, executive board member, CCO of Grupo Renascença Multimėdia; and Rebecca Frank, content director at KISS will also address participants during the event.

[Niall Power, Adam Bowie Join Radidays Europe Speaker Lineup]

The schedule for ReelWorld Room’s Track 1 has also been revealed. Running from March 30–31, ReelWorld Room will host presentations from James Purnell, director, radio and education, at the BBC; radio host Carolina Bermudez; iHeartMedia’s Vice President of Talent Development Dennis Clark; and the Radio Summit. The full schedule can be found online.

RadioDays Europe will also put a special spotlight on podcasting, running multiple sessions, as well as a #ThePodcastLife meet-up area. More information is available on the RDE website.RadioDays Europe 2020 takes place from March 29–31 in Lisbon, Portugal. More information is available at www.radiodayseurope.com.

The post RadioDays Europe in Lisbon Adds Speakers, Special Events appeared first on Radio World.

The author is membership program director of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. NFCB commentaries are featured regularly at www.radioworld.com.

If you have been watching with interest some of the recent FCC consent decrees seemingly aimed at content, you’d be in good company. That is because many community radio stations are keeping an eye on this as well.

Content has seemingly been the fourth wall for decades at the FCC. Ever since the heralded “Seven dirty words” case, the Supreme Court’s standard on obscenity and indecency has not only been the law of the land, but the unspoken line in the sand. Short of patently offensive content, politically motivated and virtually every other sort of content charge has been tossed out by commissioners. Most scholars and legal experts would argue this is fair; there are artistic expression and an educational merit that radio and television have long offered Americans.

[Read: Community Broadcaster: The End of Jazz]

Community radio stations should look a little deeper than the headlines. In the latest matter, Salem Broadcasting agreed to pay $50,000 as part of an FCC finding. The issue deals with a program that gave the appearance of being a live radio show that really was not.

For community radio, the Salem news was met with nervousness. Plenty of community radio stations use automation and may re-air programs that once ran live, but in new dayparts. Can we still do that? What are we allowed to do legally?

The Salem consent decree has some very specific clues for any community radio station stressed about a knock at the door. For one, the program in question had “Live” in its title, inherently giving anyone the impression that it was, in fact, a live broadcast. This was compounded by a lack of identifications for the program as previously recorded. The FCC ruled this presentation was misleading.

If your community radio station has a show with “Live” in the name and you’re not airing it live, you need to announce it is a recording, if you’re re-airing it in another daypart. Even if the program doesn’t have live in its name, it is a courtesy and best practice to note a previous recording anyway. Nothing annoys a listener more than to hear a great song or to catch a comment about an event during a talk break and to call an empty studio, because that listener had no idea the voice behind the mic isn’t there. What’s worse, said listener may not assume the show is recorded, but that the DJ is ignoring the phone or doesn’t care.

The other content-related issue on community radio stations’ radar is the wave of fines for underwriting spots. Full- and low-power stations have borne the brunt of FCC attention, receiving penalties large and small and agreeing to training programs and other ways of fixing problems so they do not continue.

While the FCC’s underwriting rules are quite general, language that can be perceived as commercial is forbidden. As NFCB covered in its February newsletter, underwriting rules are broad, but there are some lines you absolutely cannot cross. These include:

• Do not make qualitative statements about an underwriter;
• Do not include information on prices or value;
• Do not make calls to action;
• Do not list products or services offered by an underwriter.

Among other rules.

Moreover, these penalties are not necessarily content, per se. The commission simply does not allow stations making comparisons between an underwriter’s products or services and other verbal sleights of hand that could come across as advertising.

As with the “live” topic, at the heart of these stories is audience trust. Community radio must do it all to protect that faith listeners put in us. Such includes in the elements we might take for granted.

The post Community Broadcaster: Coming Down on Content appeared first on Radio World.

Tieline has named Doug Ferber to the new role of vice president of sales for the Americas, filling out its sales team, the company announced.

For the prior 12 years, Ferber worked as an independent consultant providing operations and financial services for radio broadcasters. In total, he has three decades of sales experience, beginning as an advertising account executive and eventually managing sales organizations.

The company says U.S. and Latin American codec sales inquiries should be sent to Ferber.

The post Ferber Joins Tieline Sales Team appeared first on Radio World.

The Centrance MicPort Pro 2 can be used as a front end for smartphone apps like Luci Live Lite. It can be used (with the proper adapter) with iOS phones, and as shown here, Android phones such as the Samsung Galaxy A6.

Though technology has made great strides in the last decade, voiceover artists and radio reporters have been tethered to tablets and laptops when recording audio. Smartphones by themselves weren’t an option for the kind of professional audio rerecrecocording necessary for a radio reporter or voiceover artist to do their job. CEntrance’s MicPort Pro 2 offers to change that by bringing professional audio recording capability to the smartphone as well as tablets and laptops.

SMALL PACKAGE, MANY FEATURES

The MicPort Pro 2 connects to a smartphone, tablet or laptop via a USB OTG cable. Users of iOS devices (iPhones) with Lightning connectors, would use a Lightning to USB connector that CEntrance describes on their website. Once connected and recognized, the MicPort Pro 2 is ready to process audio in three flavors: microphone level, line level, and (for the musician) Hi-Z guitar or bass level. There is switchable 48 V phantom power for microphones that require it.

The MicPort Pro 2 has a control to blend send and return audio, useful if connected as an audio input device for a codec app, such as Luci Live Lite or an audio recording app, such as Audio Evolution Mobile. Headphone connections are made with a 3.5 mm TRS jack. There are LED indicators for signal presence (white) and signal overload (red). Switches for the high-pass filter (6 dB cut below 130 Hz) and Hi-Z line input selection are recessed and require a small object like a paper clip to move.

Recordings made with the MicPort Pro 2 are two-track recordings, although the device is a single-channel input device. One of the tracks (left) is recorded at normal level; the other is recorded –12 dB below the normal level. If the normal level track is unusable due to clipping, the –12 dB safety track can be used. The MicPort Pro 2 is offered with an optional soft-knee limiter, which is used primarily on vocal recordings. A recessed switch and LED indicator control and monitor its operation.

The MicPort Pro 2 has a rechargeable battery that can be recharged by any device with a USB micro connection. The battery needs to be charged for five hours before its first use, and is not user-replaceable. The product can be mounted on a 1/4-20 bolt (like those on a mini photo tripod), so a user can connect microphone, headphones, OTG cable all on one tripod, saving space in cramped quarters like a press area. The unit is sold with a one-year warranty. The downloadable operators manual is very detailed and, if referenced, will help users solve most problems that they may encounter.

RECORDING The Centrance MicPort Pro 2 fits on a small photo tripod with convenient controls and jacks for connections.

I recorded two episodes of my “Radio-Road-Test” program using this device, along with an Audio-Technica AT897 shotgun electret condenser mic, Koss Pro 4 AA Titanium headphones and Future Sonics earbuds. One was recorded on a Google Nexus 7 tablet, the other on a Samsung Galaxy A6 smartphone. I used the Audio Evolution Mobile app on both devices to record the raw audio, consisting of my spoken voice with the limiter engaged. The Nexus 7 recognized the CEntrance MicPort Pro 2 as a USB sound card and I could monitor audio. The Galaxy A6 also recognized the MicPort Pro 2 as a USB sound card and I could record and monitor audio when recording with Audio Evolution Mobile.
I also tried the MicPort Pro 2 using the Luci Live Lite app on the A6 and the phone recognized it as a sound card, allowing me to send and receive audio. When trying to use Cleanfeed (through Google Chrome browser-based Opus codec) with the Galaxy A6 and the MicPort Pro 2 connected, the A6 did not recognize it as an input. CEntrance and Cleanfeed worked through this issue with me and identified that it was a Chrome browser issue.

The arrival of the CEntrance MicPort Pro 2 coincided with the failure of my studio recording console. When comparing the sonic quality of the MicPort Pro 2 and the setup that I’ve been using for more than 10 years, I could find no difference. It is a plug-and-play solution for any mobile, laptop or desktop device that allows a corded connection by USB, which, when equipment fails and a production schedule beckons, brings peace of mind because the backup is as good, if not better, than the original equipment. For a simple home or office studio recording setup, the MicPort Pro 2 would make economic sense, because of its onboard limiter, monitor, 48 V phantom power preamp and rechargeable onboard battery.

What makes the CEntrance MicPort Pro 2 useful: 48 V phantom power, and a switchable soft limiter

The CEntrance MicPort Pro 2 costs $249 for the base version. The version with the optional limiter goes for $279. The MicPort Pro 2 will most likely find its way into the bags of audio technicians, voiceover artists who’d like to be even more mobile, guitarists and bass players, and, most importantly for the Radio World reader, the radio reporter who may need to record voice tracks or connect via codecs.

CENTRANCE MICPORT PRO2

Audio Interface

Thumbs Up
+ Compatible with most
soft codecs and phones
+ 48 V phantom power
+ Onboard high-pass filter

Thumbs Down
– Some flakiness with certain phones; took a while to connect to Cleanfeed via the Chrome browser

Price: $249, with limiter $279

Contact: CEntrance in Illinois at 1-833-236-8726 or visit www.centrance.com.

Paul Kaminski, CBT, is a mostly retired radio reporter, host of msrpk.com’s Radio-Road-Test program, and since 1997, a Radio World contributor. Twitter: @msrpk_com. Facebook: PKaminski2468.

Comment on this or any story. Email radioworld@futurenet.com with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject field.

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FCC Chairman Ajit Pai on Thursday laid out his proposal to auction 280 MHz of C-Band spectrum to use for 5G services. The plan includes reimbursement of incumbent fixed satellite companies for expenses caused by the resulting repack.

The NAB called it “an important step towards ensuring a stable C-Band ecosystem following reallocation,” though without seeming to endorse it outright; the association said it would review the plan.

The C-Band is a 500-megahertz segment of spectrum being used currently by the satellite companies to distribute audio and video content to broadcasters and cable systems. Those services are expected to be repacked to the upper 200 megahertz of the band (4.0–4.2 GHz). Pai detailed the new draft rules during a speech to the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation in Washington.

Pai’s plan would make the lower 280 megahertz of the C-Band (3.7–3.98 GHz) available for flexible use, including 5G, through a public auction, which the chairman wants to begin in December 2020.

This strikes an appropriate balance between making available critical mid-band spectrum for 5G and protecting incumbent uses, according to Pai.

Relocation costs of the C-Band’s current users will be covered, according to the chairman’s proposal. The FCC acknowledges new satellites will need to be launched and filters replaced on earth stations as part of the repack. Under an accelerated relocation incentive package, Pai’s plan would allow fixed satellite operators and other incumbents to tap a pool of $9.7 billion if they meet the accelerated clearing milestones.

Satellite operators would receive the higher payments if they clear the lower 100 megahertz of the C-band in 46 of the top 50 Partial Economic Areas by September 2021, and the remaining 180 megahertz of the C-Band by September 2023, Pai said today.

The reimbursement money for C-Band incumbents disrupted by the repack would come from the winning bidders in the C-Band auction, according to the FCC. Pai did not disclose how much the FCC hopes to generate from the spectrum auction to 5G service providers. The FCC hopes to begin the auction on Dec. 8, 2020.

The fixed satellite operators had argued for more money, Pai said. “In sum, as I see it, the Goldilocks principle applies here. Some may say $9.7 billion is too high. Some may say it’s too low. I say it’s just right — if you are genuinely focused on ensuring that the prompt development of the C-Band is needed for American leadership in 5G.”

Pai says he shared the plan this morning with fellow commissioners. The proposal is expected to be voted on as a Report and Order at the FCC’s next Open Meeting in late February. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would allow for a public comment period.

Complete details of the chairman’s C-Band proposal will be available on the FCC’s website Friday.

The National Association of Broadcasters reacted: “Today marks an important step towards ensuring a stable C-Band ecosystem following reallocation — one that makes significant spectrum available for mobile use while protecting content distribution relied upon by hundreds of millions of Americans today,” said NAB Executive Vice President of Communications Dennis Wharton. “In this and other spectrum proceedings, NAB has played a leading role developing constructive solutions that provide meaningful benefits to all stakeholders.” He said NAB would review the plan and work with the FCC “towards a solution that benefits both current and new users of the spectrum band.”

The National Association of Tower Erectors said the draft rules would reform the use of the C-Band and make a large amount of spectrum available for 5G … The plan appears to strike the right balance to free up access to critical midband spectrum while protecting incumbent users.”

Commissioner Michael O’Rielly, who has been active on this issue, said, “Much time and attention has been spent on the appropriate incentive payment for the satellite providers, and I am pleased that an agreement was reached that should allow them to fully and voluntarily participate in this transition.”

The FCC issued a summary of the plan. Here is the section regarding costs:

“Relocation costs of the C-Band’s current users would be covered. It will cost money for all their operations to be moved to the upper 200 MHz of the C-Band. Among other things, new satellites will need to be launched, and filters will need to be placed on earth stations. Satellite operators and other incumbents would be reimbursed by the winning bidders in the C-Band auction for reasonable relocation costs,” the FCC wrote in the summary.

“Additionally, satellite operators would have the opportunity to receive accelerated relocation payments if they are able to clear the lower portion of the C-Band on an accelerated timeline, thus advancing the national priority of making spectrum available for 5G deployment more quickly.  These payments would create powerful incentives for incumbent operators to expedite the transition, and operators would only be paid if in fact they did so. The accelerated payments could total up to $9.7 billion and would be paid by winning bidders in the C-Band auction.”

 

The post C-Band Auction Could Begin in December appeared first on Radio World.

On Feb. 4, the Federal Communications Commission’s Media Bureau stood behind a decision it made in 2018 to grant a translator to an AM operator in the Philadelphia market as part of Auction 100, the name of the second cross-service FM translator window that opened at the end of January 2018. The window was opened to any AM station licensee that did not participate in either the 2016 FM translator modification windows or the 2017 cross-service FM translator auction filing window.

This recent decision by the Media Bureau offers new insights into its policy decision making when it comes to awarding FM translators to AM stations versus LPFM operators.

Low-power FM advocates have long argued that there should be sufficient filing opportunities for LPFM stations when it comes to translators and booster stations, often pointing to the Local Community Radio Act of 2010 and its goal of granting equal protection to community radio stations.

As part of the auction, the bureau approved an application by Mega-Philadelphia LLC for a new cross-service FM translator for W239DS in Camden, N.J. Soon after, a group that included Common Frequency, Prometheus Radio Project and the Center for International Media Action filed informal objections against hundreds of pending translator applications, including the application for W239DS. The FCC, however, dismissed and denied all objections and the following petitions for reconsideration — except for the one filed against W239DS. The bureau found that the petitioner, Paul Bame, had sufficient standing to maintain a petition for reconsideration.

Bame, who is engineering director for Prometheus Radio, stated that the Media Bureau made several errors in initially denying the objection, including disregarding certain safeguards for preserving spectrum for LPFM stations. He also stated that the commission failed to fully meet the requirements of the Local Community Radio Act while running that auction and failed to use the same procedures that were established in Auction 83..

But the bureau disagreed. It dismissed Bame’s contention that the Camden, N.J., application would potentially impede the potential move of an existing LPFM station — and thus not be compliant with the LCRA. Rather, the application followed the exact rules set up as part of Auction 100. And Auction 100 complies with the LCRA, the bureau said.

In fact, the commission said in its ruling, the procedures adopted by the bureau were designed to prioritize the LPFM filing window before opening up translator opportunities to AM licensees. It also pointed to language within the LCRA that says the commission must ensure that licensing opportunities are available for all secondary services and are made based on the needs of the local community.

“The commission determined that AM radio stations provide important community-

based programming, and that measures needed to be taken to preserve that service,” the bureau said in its findings. “While Section 5 [of the LCRA] mandates that secondary services be equal in status, FM translators and LPFM stations are not equal in their ability to address the articulated public interest need of preserving AM service to communities.”

The bureau also disagreed with Bame’s suggestion that it should have followed the rules set up in Auction 83, an auction designed to resolve groups of mutually exclusive applications for those who applied in a 2003 auction for a new commercial FM translator station. More than 13,000 new translator applications were submitted as part of that auction.

Faced with what it called an unprecedented volume of translator applications filed in the general Auction 83 window, the commission said it introduced “extraordinary remedial measures,” including limiting the number of filed applications that applicants could continue to prosecute and requiring applicant-filed preclusion studies — “all to preserve spectrum for future LPFM stations.” So following those same measures in Auction 100 — which had a strict limit on the number of allowed new translator applications — wouldn’t be required, the bureau said.

In short, the bureau disagreed with Bame’s petition, found the granting of the Camden application served the public interest, and thus dismissed and denied the petition for reconsideration.

It remains to be seen whether this decision is indicative of a larger FCC goal of supporting AM stations as part of its AM revitalization efforts, and how LPFMs will be impacted in the long term.

Ruling: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-126A1.pdf

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