Public Telecommunications Facilities Program: New Closing Date, 13259-13261 [2010-6044]

Download as PDF erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 53 / Friday, March 19, 2010 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Pauline Bowen, ISPAB Secretariat, Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8930, Gaithersburg, MD 20899–8930, telephone: (301) 975–2938. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ISPAB was established by the Computer Security Act of 1987 (Pub. L. 100–235) and amended by the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107–347) to advise the Secretary of Commerce, the Director of NIST, and the Director of OMB on information security and privacy issues pertaining to Federal government information systems. Details regarding the ISPAB’s activities are available at https://csrc.nist.gov/groups/SMA/ispab/ index.html/. Agenda: —Cloud Computing Implementations —Health IT —OpenID —Pending Cyber Security Legislation —NIST Issues—research, key escrow, SCAP, common criteria —OMB Update/Metrics —Update from NIST FY10 Activities —Cyber Coordinator Discussion —National Protection and Programs Directorate Discussion —Security Issues in Broadband Plan Note that agenda items may change without notice because of possible unexpected schedule conflicts of presenters. The final agenda will be posted on the website indicated above. Public Participation: The ISPAB agenda will include a period of time, not to exceed thirty minutes, for oral comments from the public (Thursday April 8, 2009, at 3–3:30 p.m.). Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. Members of the public who are interested in speaking are asked to contact the ISPAB Secretariat at the telephone number indicated above. The board is interested in public comments on the agenda as a whole with specific interest in the following topics due to their impact on information security and privacy as new technologies, potential areas of success for the US Government if conducted properly and their current significant relevance to the Federal Government. Approximately 15 seats will be available for the public and media. —OpenID —Cloud Computing Implementations —Security Issues in Broadband Plan —NIST Issues—research, key escrow, SCAP, common criteria In addition, written statements are invited and may be submitted to the ISPAB at any time. Written statements VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:14 Mar 18, 2010 Jkt 220001 should be directed to the ISPAB Secretariat, Information Technology Laboratory, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8930, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899–8930. Dated: March 1, 2010. Marc G. Stanley, Acting Deputy Director. [FR Doc. 2010–6075 Filed 3–18–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Is Hosting a Series of Informational Webinars for Individuals and Organizations To Learn About the Proposed NOAA Climate Service AGENCY: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public webinar meetings. On February 8, 2010, the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced their intent to establish a new NOAA Climate Service. The proposed reorganization of existing agency assets is intended to help NOAA better work with our partners to respond to the growing demands for climate information from the public, business, industry, and decision makers. NOAA is hosting a series of informational webinars for individuals and organizations to learn about the proposed NOAA Climate Service and to provide an opportunity for to answer questions, and obtain feedback. Each webinar is targeted to a specific sector, and will begin with a presentation from Tom Karl, Director, NOAA National Climatic Data Center, and Transitional Director, NOAA Climate service, and will be followed by a question and answer session. DATES: The webinar meeting dates are: 1. March 25, 2010, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST, for non-governmental and nonprofit organizations. 2. April 1, 2010, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST, for the academic research community. 3. April 12, 2010, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST, for state and local government officials. 4. April 13, 2010, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST, for the corporate and business community. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13259 For specific instructions about registering for each webinar, please visit https://www.noaa.gov/climateresources/ meetings. Additional information about the announcement to create a new NOAA Climate Service, including questions and answers can be found at https://www.noaa.gov/climate. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brady Phillips, NOAA Office of Communications and External Affairs, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. (Phone: 202– 482–2365, Fax: 202–482–3154, E-mail: brady.phillips@noaa.gov); or visit https://www.noaa.gov/climateresources/ meetings. Dated: March 16, 2010. Mark E. Brown, Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2010–6085 Filed 3–18–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–KB–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration Docket No. 100305127–0127–01 Public Telecommunications Facilities Program: New Closing Date AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice; to re-open competitive solicitation for applications to increase digital power levels of public radio stations. SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) hereby announces that it will re-open the solicitation for Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) applications until Thursday, April 22, 2010, to accommodate the increase in digital power levels of radio stations, as allowed by the provisions of the January 29, 2010, Order announced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).1 DATES: Applications to increase digital power levels of radio stations, as allowed by the provisions of the FCC January 29, 2010, Order, must be received prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (hereinafter ‘‘New Closing Time’’), Thursday, April 22, 2010 1 In the matter of Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems and Their Impact on the Terrestrial Radio Broadcast Service, MB Docket No. 99-325, Order, DA 10-208, (January 29, 2010). E:\FR\FM\19MRN1.SGM 19MRN1 13260 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 53 / Friday, March 19, 2010 / Notices (hereinafter ‘‘New Closing Date’’). Applications submitted by facsimile are not acceptable. If an application is received after the New Closing Date due to (1) carrier error, when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for delivery by the New Closing Date and New Closing Time, (2) significant weather delays or natural disasters, or (3) delays due to national security issues, NTIA will, upon receipt of proper documentation, consider the application as having been received by the deadline. NTIA will not accept applications posted on the New Closing Date or later and received after this deadline. To obtain a printed application package, submit completed applications, or send any other correspondence, write to PTFP at the following address: NTIA/PTFP, Room H–4812, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. Application materials may be obtained electronically via the Internet at www.ntia.doc.gov/ ptfp or www.grants.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Cooperman, Director, Public Broadcasting Division, telephone: (202) 482–5802; fax: (202) 482–2156. Information about the PTFP also can be obtained electronically via the Internet at www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 2, 2009, NTIA began the fiscal year (FY) 2010 PTFP grant round with publication of a Notice of Closing Date for Solicitation of Applications in the Federal Register.2 The Notice established February 4, 2010, as the Closing Date (hereinafter ‘‘Original Closing Date’’) for receipt of applications for most projects, and February 26, 2010, as the Closing Date (hereinafter ‘‘Second Closing Date’’) for receipt of applications for projects filed at the FCC during the FCC’s February 19–26 FM Window. NTIA established this Second Closing Date because PTFP’s primary legislative mandate is to ‘‘extend delivery of public telecommunications services to as many citizens of the United States as possible.’’3 The FCC’s February FM Window provides interested parties with the first opportunity in many years to submit noncommercial educational FM applications for new stations. NTIA also posted a Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) Notice regarding the FY 2010 PTFP grant round on the grants.gov and PTFP websites on the erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: 2 74 3 47 Fed. Reg. 63120. U.S.C. § 390. VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:14 Mar 18, 2010 Jkt 220001 same date.4 In the FFO, NTIA noted that the FCC was considering changing the permitted power levels of digital radio facilities (a hybrid analog/digital InBand-On-Channel (IBOC) system). NTIA indicated that it would not provide funds for transmitters to operate at IBOC power levels higher than those authorized by the FCC for the station at the time of award. If the FCC subsequently authorized IBOC higher power levels, grantees would be permitted to add non-Federal funds to purchase a higher-power transmitter that is partially funded by the PTFP grant. On January 29, 2010, the FCC released an Order permitting radio stations broadcasting a hybrid analog/digital signal to increase the effective radiated power (ERP) of the digital portion of their transmission.5 In the January 29, 2010, Order, the FCC found that: 13. Voluntary Increases Up to 6 dB. Virtually all of the licensees of the nearly 1,500 commercial and NCE FM stations currently operating hybrid FM digital facilities have concluded that the coverage resulting from their operations at maximum permissible FM Digital ERP levels does not replicate analog coverage, and that indoor and portable coverage are particularly and significantly diminished. Both the iBiquity and NPR studies confirm these service limitations. Moreover, the number of notifications of the commencement of hybrid FM digital operations has dropped significantly over the past two years. Based on these findings, we conclude that it is important to increase FM Digital ERP to improve FM digital coverage and to eliminate regulatory impediments to FM digital radio’s ability to meet its full potential and deliver its promised benefits. Through the Order, the FCC acknowledged the inadequacy of the former digital power levels to duplicate the service areas of a station’s analog signal. The clarifications contained in the FCC Order now provide additional technical guidance to stations that desire to provide multicasting service to serve their communities, but delayed investing in multicasting due to inadequate digital signal coverage. The FCC’s adoption of the Order was released on January 29, 2010, less than a week before the Original Closing Date for receipt of PTFP applications. Because of the importance the PTFP 4 The FY 2010 FFO can be found at https:// www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp/attachments/ FFOlNoticel10.html. 5 See supra note 1, Appendix C, Final Rule Changes, at § 73.404. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 statute places on extending service to as many citizens of the United States as possible, NTIA is re-opening the solicitation period for digital radio power increase applications until April 22, 2010, so stations may apply for financial assistance necessary to build facilities as allowed by the new FCC Rules. Those digital radio stations that applied by the Original Closing Date and that are seeking to increase power pursuant to the new FCC Rules may amend their application. Those digital radio stations that did not apply by the Original Closing Date and that are seeking to increase power pursuant to the new FCC Rules may now apply. Applicants for digital power increase applications must follow the procedures described in the next two sections. Submit New Applications for Multicasting Projects Due to this recent FCC action regarding the power level of digital radio, NTIA now has a further opportunity to extend delivery of public telecommunications services during the FY 2010 grant cycle. An important feature of digital radio is the ability of a station to broadcast several program services on a single broadcast frequency, analogous to the multicasting capability of digital television stations. These additional program services are broadcast on discrete subchannels of the stations and are usually referred to as channels HD–1, HD–2, etc. Through multicasting on digital radio, stations can provide additional programming resources to unserved and underserved communities within their coverage area.6 Because a multicast digital signal uses the infrastructure of an analog station, the cost of activating additional programming services on digital radio are much less than the cost of constructing a new station. Further, stations can add additional programming services on HD channels in communities where it would be impossible to construct an additional station due to lack of available frequencies. Since a station’s primary digital program stream must duplicate its analog programming, the programming distributed via additional multicast channels is, by its very nature, an additional service to the community. 6 For example, KPCC-FM, Pasadena, CA, provides English language news and information on its HD– 1 channel, a Spanish language service on its HD– 2 channel, and alternative music on its HD–3 channel. WJCT-FM, Jacksonville, FL, provides primarily news and information on its HD–1 channel, classical music and arts on its HD–2 channel, and NOAA weather information on its HD–3 channel. E:\FR\FM\19MRN1.SGM 19MRN1 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 53 / Friday, March 19, 2010 / Notices The PTFP Rules place additional service projects in Priority 4A, ‘‘The establishment of public broadcasting facilities to serve a geographic area already receiving public telecommunications services. The applicant must demonstrate that it will address underserved needs in an area which significantly differentiates its service from what is already available in its service area.’’7 NTIA will accept new applications for digital power increase projects for Priority 4A projects from stations that: 1. Are currently broadcasting in digital and will add an additional program service (HD channel) by multicasting. These applicants can request funding for a digital power increase, for equipment required to broadcast an additional digital channel, and for production equipment required to program the additional channel(s); or 2. Are currently broadcasting more than one program service via a digital multicast signal. These applicants can request funding for a digital power increase. They may also request funds for equipment required to produce programming and broadcast an additional digital channel to expand their service. Applicants for digital power increase projects requesting Priority 4A consideration must: 1. Submit a complete application as required by the December 2, 2009, Federal Register Notice and FFO; 2. Demonstrate that the multicast program service will address underserved needs in a way that significantly differentiates the service from what is already available in the proposed coverage area or on the station’s analog channel; 3. Include in Exhibits A (Inventory) and B (Equipment Justification) thorough descriptions of the analog and digital transmission system and combining system in place and the modifications required for the power increase, as well as any production/ programming equipment requested to support the additional channels; 4. Submit a copy of the station’s FCC request if the project proposes any increase in FM Digital ERP beyond 6 dB; and 5. Certify at time of project close out that the station is broadcasting diverse program services as proposed in the application. Amend Existing Applications for Single Channel Digital Projects NTIA recognizes that applications for digital FM transmitters were submitted 7 15 CFR 2301.4(b)(4)(ii). VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:14 Mar 18, 2010 Jkt 220001 by the February 4, 2010, Original Closing Date that did not involve power increases for multicasting. These applications include requests for transmitter replacements, digital conversion projects, and the construction of new stations. Since the change in the FCC Rules occurred less than a week prior to the Original Closing Date, few applicants had the opportunity to submit applications for transmission equipment at the newly authorized higher digital power levels. NTIA believes that it is a disservice to the stations and their listeners, and unproductive for NTIA to expend its staff resources and grant funds in processing applications for less than a station’s desired and authorized transmitter power. In keeping with the intent of the statute, NTIA intends to fund the highest power desired by a station and permitted by the FCC so a station can serve the maximum number of people in its coverage area. Since the FCC increased permitted digital power only a week before the February 4, 2010, Original Closing Date, NTIA believes it would be fair to all FY 2010 applicants for digital radio transmission systems to have an equal opportunity to request funding for full power transmission equipment. NTIA, therefore, will permit stations that submitted an application and requested digital radio transmission equipment by the February 4, 2010, Original Closing Date to amend their applications. The following are the procedures for amending a FY 2010 radio application requesting digital transmission equipment: 1. Applicants must file an amended application by Thursday, April 22, 2010. 2. Applicants must email their PTFP program officer a notice of their intent to amend their application so the PTFP application software (Online Fillable Form) can be unlocked and they can revise their request. 3. The amended application must: a. Include a revised SF–424 form, with the revised project amount and Federal funds requested, and signed by an authorized representative of the applicant; b. Contain the application number assigned by PTFP for the original submission; c. Include a revised list of equipment requested; d. Include revised Exhibits A (Inventory) and B (Equipment Justification) that contains thorough descriptions of the analog and/or digital transmission system and combining system in place and modifications that PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13261 may be required for the power increase; and e. Submit a copy of the station’s FCC request if the project proposes any increase in FM Digital ERP beyond 6 dB. NTIA will only accept applications that meet the criteria discussed in this Notice. NTIA will return an application for a Priority 4A digital power increase or amendment that does not meet the criteria of the above two sections. Applicants are reminded that no grant will be awarded until NTIA has received confirmation from the FCC that any necessary authorization will be issued. Applications submitted in response to the April 22, 2010, New Closing Date will utilize the same forms, and undergo the same review and evaluation process contained in the December 2, 2009, Notice. On January 13, 2010, NTIA published a Notice of Availability of Funds in the Federal Register announcing that $18 million has been appropriated for FY 2010 grants.8 Dated: March 15, 2010. Dr. Bernadette McGuire-Rivera, Associate Administrator, Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications. [FR Doc. 2010–6044 Filed 3–18–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–60–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign–Trade Zones Board [Order No. 1668] Reorganization of Foreign–Trade Zone 260 under Alternative Site Framework, Lubbock, Texas Pursuant to its authority under the Foreign–Trade Zones Act of June 18, 1934, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u), the Foreign– Trade Zones Board (the Board) adopts the following Order: Whereas, the Board adopted the alternative site framework (ASF) in December 2008 (74 FR 1170, 01/12/09; correction 74 FR 3987, 01/22/09) as an option for the establishment or reorganization of general–purpose zones; Whereas, the City of Lubbock, Texas, grantee of Foreign–Trade Zone 260, submitted an application to the Board (FTZ Docket 28–2009, filed 7/15/2009) for authority to reorganize under the ASF with a service area of Garza, Hale, Hockley, Lubbock and Terry Counties, Texas, in and adjacent to the Lubbock Customs and Border Protection port of entry, FTZ 260’s existing Sites 1 and 2 would be categorized as magnet sites, 8 75 Fed. Reg. 1775. E:\FR\FM\19MRN1.SGM 19MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 53 (Friday, March 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13259-13261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-6044]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Docket No. 100305127-0127-01


Public Telecommunications Facilities Program: New Closing Date

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; to re-open competitive solicitation for applications to 
increase digital power levels of public radio stations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA) hereby announces that it will re-open the solicitation for 
Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) applications until 
Thursday, April 22, 2010, to accommodate the increase in digital power 
levels of radio stations, as allowed by the provisions of the January 
29, 2010, Order announced by the Federal Communications Commission 
(FCC).\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ In the matter of Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems and 
Their Impact on the Terrestrial Radio Broadcast Service, MB Docket 
No. 99-325, Order, DA 10-208, (January 29, 2010).

DATES: Applications to increase digital power levels of radio stations, 
as allowed by the provisions of the FCC January 29, 2010, Order, must 
be received prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (hereinafter ``New 
Closing Time''), Thursday, April 22, 2010

[[Page 13260]]

(hereinafter ``New Closing Date''). Applications submitted by facsimile 
are not acceptable. If an application is received after the New Closing 
Date due to (1) carrier error, when the carrier accepted the package 
with a guarantee for delivery by the New Closing Date and New Closing 
Time, (2) significant weather delays or natural disasters, or (3) 
delays due to national security issues, NTIA will, upon receipt of 
proper documentation, consider the application as having been received 
by the deadline. NTIA will not accept applications posted on the New 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Date or later and received after this deadline.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a printed application package, submit completed 
applications, or send any other correspondence, write to PTFP at the 
following address: NTIA/PTFP, Room H-4812, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. Application 
materials may be obtained electronically via the Internet at 
www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp or www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Cooperman, Director, Public 
Broadcasting Division, telephone: (202) 482-5802; fax: (202) 482-2156. 
Information about the PTFP also can be obtained electronically via the 
Internet at www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 2, 2009, NTIA began the fiscal 
year (FY) 2010 PTFP grant round with publication of a Notice of Closing 
Date for Solicitation of Applications in the Federal Register.\2\ The 
Notice established February 4, 2010, as the Closing Date (hereinafter 
``Original Closing Date'') for receipt of applications for most 
projects, and February 26, 2010, as the Closing Date (hereinafter 
``Second Closing Date'') for receipt of applications for projects filed 
at the FCC during the FCC's February 19-26 FM Window. NTIA established 
this Second Closing Date because PTFP's primary legislative mandate is 
to ``extend delivery of public telecommunications services to as many 
citizens of the United States as possible.''\3\ The FCC's February FM 
Window provides interested parties with the first opportunity in many 
years to submit noncommercial educational FM applications for new 
stations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ 74 Fed. Reg. 63120.
    \3\ 47 U.S.C. Sec.  390.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NTIA also posted a Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) Notice 
regarding the FY 2010 PTFP grant round on the grants.gov and PTFP 
websites on the same date.\4\ In the FFO, NTIA noted that the FCC was 
considering changing the permitted power levels of digital radio 
facilities (a hybrid analog/digital In-Band-On-Channel (IBOC) system). 
NTIA indicated that it would not provide funds for transmitters to 
operate at IBOC power levels higher than those authorized by the FCC 
for the station at the time of award. If the FCC subsequently 
authorized IBOC higher power levels, grantees would be permitted to add 
non-Federal funds to purchase a higher-power transmitter that is 
partially funded by the PTFP grant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The FY 2010 FFO can be found at https://www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp/attachments/FFO_Notice_10.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On January 29, 2010, the FCC released an Order permitting radio 
stations broadcasting a hybrid analog/digital signal to increase the 
effective radiated power (ERP) of the digital portion of their 
transmission.\5\ In the January 29, 2010, Order, the FCC found that:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See supra note 1, Appendix C, Final Rule Changes, at Sec.  
73.404.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    13. Voluntary Increases Up to 6 dB. Virtually all of the licensees 
of the nearly 1,500 commercial and NCE FM stations currently operating 
hybrid FM digital facilities have concluded that the coverage resulting 
from their operations at maximum permissible FM Digital ERP levels does 
not replicate analog coverage, and that indoor and portable coverage 
are particularly and significantly diminished. Both the iBiquity and 
NPR studies confirm these service limitations. Moreover, the number of 
notifications of the commencement of hybrid FM digital operations has 
dropped significantly over the past two years. Based on these findings, 
we conclude that it is important to increase FM Digital ERP to improve 
FM digital coverage and to eliminate regulatory impediments to FM 
digital radio's ability to meet its full potential and deliver its 
promised benefits.
    Through the Order, the FCC acknowledged the inadequacy of the 
former digital power levels to duplicate the service areas of a 
station's analog signal. The clarifications contained in the FCC Order 
now provide additional technical guidance to stations that desire to 
provide multicasting service to serve their communities, but delayed 
investing in multicasting due to inadequate digital signal coverage.
    The FCC's adoption of the Order was released on January 29, 2010, 
less than a week before the Original Closing Date for receipt of PTFP 
applications. Because of the importance the PTFP statute places on 
extending service to as many citizens of the United States as possible, 
NTIA is re-opening the solicitation period for digital radio power 
increase applications until April 22, 2010, so stations may apply for 
financial assistance necessary to build facilities as allowed by the 
new FCC Rules. Those digital radio stations that applied by the 
Original Closing Date and that are seeking to increase power pursuant 
to the new FCC Rules may amend their application. Those digital radio 
stations that did not apply by the Original Closing Date and that are 
seeking to increase power pursuant to the new FCC Rules may now apply. 
Applicants for digital power increase applications must follow the 
procedures described in the next two sections.

Submit New Applications for Multicasting Projects

    Due to this recent FCC action regarding the power level of digital 
radio, NTIA now has a further opportunity to extend delivery of public 
telecommunications services during the FY 2010 grant cycle. An 
important feature of digital radio is the ability of a station to 
broadcast several program services on a single broadcast frequency, 
analogous to the multicasting capability of digital television 
stations. These additional program services are broadcast on discrete 
subchannels of the stations and are usually referred to as channels HD-
1, HD-2, etc. Through multicasting on digital radio, stations can 
provide additional programming resources to unserved and underserved 
communities within their coverage area.\6\ Because a multicast digital 
signal uses the infrastructure of an analog station, the cost of 
activating additional programming services on digital radio are much 
less than the cost of constructing a new station. Further, stations can 
add additional programming services on HD channels in communities where 
it would be impossible to construct an additional station due to lack 
of available frequencies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ For example, KPCC-FM, Pasadena, CA, provides English 
language news and information on its HD-1 channel, a Spanish 
language service on its HD-2 channel, and alternative music on its 
HD-3 channel. WJCT-FM, Jacksonville, FL, provides primarily news and 
information on its HD-1 channel, classical music and arts on its HD-
2 channel, and NOAA weather information on its HD-3 channel.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since a station's primary digital program stream must duplicate its 
analog programming, the programming distributed via additional 
multicast channels is, by its very nature, an additional service to the 
community.

[[Page 13261]]

The PTFP Rules place additional service projects in Priority 4A, ``The 
establishment of public broadcasting facilities to serve a geographic 
area already receiving public telecommunications services. The 
applicant must demonstrate that it will address underserved needs in an 
area which significantly differentiates its service from what is 
already available in its service area.''\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 15 CFR 2301.4(b)(4)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NTIA will accept new applications for digital power increase 
projects for Priority 4A projects from stations that:
    1. Are currently broadcasting in digital and will add an additional 
program service (HD channel) by multicasting. These applicants can 
request funding for a digital power increase, for equipment required to 
broadcast an additional digital channel, and for production equipment 
required to program the additional channel(s); or
    2. Are currently broadcasting more than one program service via a 
digital multicast signal. These applicants can request funding for a 
digital power increase. They may also request funds for equipment 
required to produce programming and broadcast an additional digital 
channel to expand their service.
    Applicants for digital power increase projects requesting Priority 
4A consideration must:
    1. Submit a complete application as required by the December 2, 
2009, Federal Register Notice and FFO;
    2. Demonstrate that the multicast program service will address 
underserved needs in a way that significantly differentiates the 
service from what is already available in the proposed coverage area or 
on the station's analog channel;
    3. Include in Exhibits A (Inventory) and B (Equipment 
Justification) thorough descriptions of the analog and digital 
transmission system and combining system in place and the modifications 
required for the power increase, as well as any production/programming 
equipment requested to support the additional channels;
    4. Submit a copy of the station's FCC request if the project 
proposes any increase in FM Digital ERP beyond 6 dB; and
    5. Certify at time of project close out that the station is 
broadcasting diverse program services as proposed in the application.

Amend Existing Applications for Single Channel Digital Projects

    NTIA recognizes that applications for digital FM transmitters were 
submitted by the February 4, 2010, Original Closing Date that did not 
involve power increases for multicasting. These applications include 
requests for transmitter replacements, digital conversion projects, and 
the construction of new stations. Since the change in the FCC Rules 
occurred less than a week prior to the Original Closing Date, few 
applicants had the opportunity to submit applications for transmission 
equipment at the newly authorized higher digital power levels.
    NTIA believes that it is a disservice to the stations and their 
listeners, and unproductive for NTIA to expend its staff resources and 
grant funds in processing applications for less than a station's 
desired and authorized transmitter power. In keeping with the intent of 
the statute, NTIA intends to fund the highest power desired by a 
station and permitted by the FCC so a station can serve the maximum 
number of people in its coverage area. Since the FCC increased 
permitted digital power only a week before the February 4, 2010, 
Original Closing Date, NTIA believes it would be fair to all FY 2010 
applicants for digital radio transmission systems to have an equal 
opportunity to request funding for full power transmission equipment.
    NTIA, therefore, will permit stations that submitted an application 
and requested digital radio transmission equipment by the February 4, 
2010, Original Closing Date to amend their applications. The following 
are the procedures for amending a FY 2010 radio application requesting 
digital transmission equipment:
    1. Applicants must file an amended application by Thursday, April 
22, 2010.
    2. Applicants must email their PTFP program officer a notice of 
their intent to amend their application so the PTFP application 
software (Online Fillable Form) can be unlocked and they can revise 
their request.
    3. The amended application must:
    a. Include a revised SF-424 form, with the revised project amount 
and Federal funds requested, and signed by an authorized representative 
of the applicant;
    b. Contain the application number assigned by PTFP for the original 
submission;
    c. Include a revised list of equipment requested;
    d. Include revised Exhibits A (Inventory) and B (Equipment 
Justification) that contains thorough descriptions of the analog and/or 
digital transmission system and combining system in place and 
modifications that may be required for the power increase; and
    e. Submit a copy of the station's FCC request if the project 
proposes any increase in FM Digital ERP beyond 6 dB.
    NTIA will only accept applications that meet the criteria discussed 
in this Notice. NTIA will return an application for a Priority 4A 
digital power increase or amendment that does not meet the criteria of 
the above two sections.
    Applicants are reminded that no grant will be awarded until NTIA 
has received confirmation from the FCC that any necessary authorization 
will be issued.
    Applications submitted in response to the April 22, 2010, New 
Closing Date will utilize the same forms, and undergo the same review 
and evaluation process contained in the December 2, 2009, Notice. On 
January 13, 2010, NTIA published a Notice of Availability of Funds in 
the Federal Register announcing that $18 million has been appropriated 
for FY 2010 grants.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 75 Fed. Reg. 1775.

    Dated: March 15, 2010.
Dr. Bernadette McGuire-Rivera,
Associate Administrator, Office of Telecommunications and Information 
Applications.
[FR Doc. 2010-6044 Filed 3-18-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-S
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