Last Monday, May 10, the FCC's Order approving increases in FM digital operating power went into effect. Now, FM digital stations may increase their power by 6 dB (that is, to -14 dBc) and must notify the Media Bureau within 10 days of commencing this operation. Until the official notification form is approved by the Office of Management and Budget, stations should file a letter notification with the Media Bureau.

The Order also allows licensees to increase FM digital power beyond the blanket 6 dB increase, up to a maximum of 10 dB (-10dBc), determined by reference to a simplified method set out in the Order (at para. 20). The FCC requires licensees to submit an application to the Media Bureau, in the form of an informal request, for any increase beyond 6 dB (or, in the case of super-powered stations, any increase in digital power).

As earlier reported, the Order (at para. 27-29) also adopts specific procedures to remediate harmful interference to full-service analog FM stations from any station increasing FM digital power above the current -20 dBc level.

Petitions for reconsideration and applications for review of the Order are pending resolution by the Commission.