FCC Docket 99-25: Low Power FM Service Proceeding

FCC Docket 99-25 is the rule-making proceeding through which the Federal Communications Commission established the Low Power FM (LPFM) service in January 2000. This page provides background on the proceeding and the CDC's participation.

History of the Proceeding

In January 1999, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) proposing to create a new class of low-power FM broadcast stations. The NPRM cited the success of microradio advocacy and the demonstrated demand for community broadcasting access as justifications for opening a new service.

The proceeding generated thousands of comments from community organizations, potential LPFM applicants, educational institutions, religious organizations, and commercial broadcast industry groups.

The CDC's Participation

The CDC filed comments and reply comments in Docket 99-25 arguing for a robust LPFM service. Our filings addressed:

• The First Amendment dimension of broadcast access — the FCC's public interest mandate required meaningful opportunities for community voices
• Technical interference analysis — contesting inflated interference predictions from commercial broadcasters
• Equity in spectrum allocation — documenting the history that had favored commercial over community interests
• The public interest standard — arguing LPFM directly served it more than many existing commercial licensees

The FCC's Decision

On January 20, 2000, the FCC released its First Report and Order creating the LPFM service, authorizing LP-100 (100 watt) and LP-10 (10 watt) stations. Initial third-adjacent-channel interference requirements were subsequently eliminated by the Local Community Radio Act of 2010, significantly expanding LPFM availability.

Full filings are available through the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System. See our legal briefs page for the CDC's key submissions in this proceeding.