NAB filed comments last week on an FCC proposal for implementing the Local Community Radio Act, which generally seeks to preserve frequencies on the FM dial for low power FM (LPFM) stations in every market, while also facilitating the processing of some FM translator applications still pending from the 2003 FM translator auction window. NAB emphasized that the proposed approach could be a reasonable first step, if it is improved to more precisely limit the negative effects on broadcasters with long-pending FM translator applications to situations where grant of those applications would not preclude LPFM applications.

NAB explained that the proposal jumps too quickly to dismiss pending applications for FM translators, which are often integral to the ability of many FM licensees (and AM as well) to serve their local audiences. To ameliorate the impact on translator applications, NAB suggested several modifications to the FCC's proposal regarding how to define the relevant market for determining LPFM availability, and certain circumstances where dismissal of pending translator applications may be unnecessary. In the comments, NAB also praised the FCC for a proposal to expand the universe of FM translators available for use by AM stations.