The FCC has begun the process of resolving the groups of mutually exclusive noncommercial FM radio applications.
In an Order released today, the FCC decided 12 groups of mutually exclusive applications ("MX Groups") by analyzing only one decisional factor - the question of "fair distribution" of noncommercial service. As we wrote when we set out the criteria for FCC decision making ,
when the FCC chooses between mutually exclusive groups of applications
for new Noncommercial Educational ("NCE") stations, the initial level
of analysis is a consideration of whether the application serves
extensive areas where there is little other noncommercial radio
service. If a station covers any area that currently has fewer than 2
noncommercial radio services, and that area exceeds 10% of the proposed
service area of the applicant covering more than 2000 people, a
conclusive preference will be awarded over another applicant who does
not meet that threshold. All of today's decisions were made based on
this criteria.
One interesting aspect of the decisions was how many cases were
essentially won by default - as a number of applicants did not bother
to compute the areas and the populations that they served. Where that
information was not provided in the initial application as submitted by
the applicant, the Commission gave the applicant no credit for any
service. So even if an applicant submitted an application that would in
reality serve underserved areas, if they did not claim that service in
their initial application, they got no credit for the service. The FCC
did not fill in any blanks in the applications. So, if you are
planning to claim credit for anything in an application - be sure to do
it up front when the application is filed, or you'll get no credit.
<snip>
These are not final decisions, as petitions can be filed within 30 days
against any of the selected applicants challenging any of their
qualifications. In fact, as the FCC decisions seem to be based on
coverage analysis as submitted by the applicants themselves, some may
challenge those computations. But, where no challenge is filed, these
applicants will be granted, and the applicants can build new
noncommercial educational FM stations.
AIR WAVES - Want you own educational radio station? Here is your chance.
Read About The Electronic Public Interest Versus the Private Good - Spread - Spectrum Radio
Community Networking
Dave Hughes is probably the premier technical and policy facilitator in grass-roots community networking.
In 1981, he started what may be the first bulletin board system (BBS) whose goal was to empower the
local public politically. Since then, Hughes has traveled around the world in an effort to bring some of
the most disenfranchised and isolated communities into the electronic age.
ATTENTION SCHOOL BOARDS:
WHO ANSWER TO THE TAX PAYER
ATTENTION TAX PAYER:
WHO ELECTS THE BOARD
ATTENTION CFO OF THE SCHOOL DISCTRICT:
ATTENTION SUPERINTENDENT:
WHO BUYS THE INTERNET SERVICE
READ WHAT DAVE RECOMMENDS CAN BE DONE TO GET ALL SCHOOLS WIRED WITHOUT SPENDING ALL THE MONEY THAT WE THE TAX PAYERS ARE SPENDING!!!