Media Bureau Wants Comment on Petitions to Change FM Broadcast Radio Digital Rules

On November 28, 2022, the FCC’s Media Bureau issued a public notice announcing that it would seek comment on a combined NAB/Xperi, Inc. petition to modify the FCC’s FM digital radio rules.

The joint petition asks for adoption of an updated formula to determine and increase FM digital sideband power levels for stations transmitting digital FM signals.  It also proposes a rule that would give a blanket authorization for stations to originate digital transmissions at power levels on the upper and lower (asymmetric) sidebands without having to request experimental authorization.  Overall, the changes are expected to improve digital FM signal quality and coverage while minimizing harmful interference to adjacent-channel stations.

Comments can be filed in the FCC’s electronic comment filing system through January 12, 2023, with reply comments by February 13, 2023.