FCC Backs Low-Power Radio

The government took the first step Thursday toward creating a low-power, low-cost radio service that would help community groups, churches, students and ordinary people get on the air.

The Federal Communications Commission, in a 4-1 vote, offered proposals to create thousands of new, licensed low-tech FM radio stations from 1 watt to 1,000 watts. It would reverse a roughly 20-year old ban against such licenses.

The proposals "could create a whole new class of voices using the airwaves ... opportunities for churches and community groups ... so many of whom feel that they are being frozen out of opportunities to become broadcasters," said FCC Chairman Bill Kennard.

The FCC's action also responds to consolidation in the radio industry, which has made it increasingly difficult for minorities and community groups to make their voices heard.

A 1996 law triggered rapid consolidation in the industry by relaxing limits on the number of radio stations held by any one owner.

In the last year, the FCC has received 13,000 inquiries from city governments, schools, churches and others wanting to start low-power stations.

The FCC proposed that those who want to start a low power station would have to meet the same licensing standards as existing higher-powered FM stations. To get a higher-power license, companies generally must show they want to serve a particular area. They must also provide information about any past criminal record.

The process wouldn't automatically disqualify a person or group based on their political views, even if those views are white supremacist, for example, or offensive in some other way, FCC officials said.

And, although the proposals don't bar pirate radio operators, people who illegally operate stations without a license, from getting a new low-powered license, the FCC's proposals indicate that pirates who refused to follow FCC orders and shut down their illegal stations could have a tough time getting a low-powered license, officials said.

The radio industry opposes licensing new low-powered stations, saying the move would create interference with other radio stations.

Sharing those concerns, Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth dissented from the plan.

Kennard, a strong supporter of the new licenses, countered these fears, saying his agency will protect existing radio services. "Will we create a class of new low-power stations that will wreak havoc in the FM band? Of course we won't do that."

Low-powered stations are cheaper to build because the equipment isn't as expensive. In addition to avoiding the big expense of building a tower for antennas, stations likely will have an easier time getting zoning approval for smaller rooftop antennas.

Costs can be as low as $2,500 for a 1-watt station to $100,000 and up for a 1,000-watt station, FCC officials said.

Depending on the height of the antenna and the terrain, a 1-watt sation typically serves an area with a diameter of about two miles, and a 1,000-watt station an area with a diameter of up to 18 miles.

"This permits people who have felt abandoned by commercial broadcasting to use an inexpensive medium to create an audio soap box for discussion and debate," said Andrew Schwartzman, president of the Media Access Project, which supports the new service.

The proposals are subject to revision, public comment and another vote before they would take effect. The FCC is supposed to seek public comment on whether the stations should be noncommercial, commercial or a mix.

By Jeannine Aversa, Associated Press Writer