On November 5, iBiquity Digital Corporation and National Public Radio (NPR) submitted a new joint proposal to the FCC to allow FM radio stations to increase the power of their digital signals. NAB filed a letter with the Commission supporting the compromise proposal and urging the FCC to act quickly to adopt it. NAB said that doing so will enable digital radio broadcasters to improve digital coverage, better replicate analog service, insure reliable reception of new multicast signals and support new portable HD Radio devices.

This new proposal provides for an in immediate across-the-board increase in digital power of up to six decibels (dB) above existing authorized levels, subject to additional conditions and protections for analog service. NPR and iBiquity also set out a proposed procedure for the Commission to swiftly remediate harmful interference that may occur from stations increasing their digital power. The parties also agreed that additional power increases beyond six dB may be possible, and proposed criteria and a formula for potential increases up to a maximum of 10 dB.

Click here to read the NAB letter here, and click here to read the iBiquity/NPR proposal.