The FCC has issued the long awaited 74 page Report and Order on Digital Audio Broadacsting (DAB) and specifically confirms that the FCC's choice for DAB standard is the iBiquity In Band On Channel (IBOC) system that is marketed under the name HD Radio. LPFM starts at paragraph #56.
While iBiquity supports LPFM stations having the option of going digital, they do note that it may not be efficient for LP-10 stations to convert as they will produce a signal that will be under the noise floor and would be difficult for the DAB receiver to detect. However, according to iBiquity, would not be the case with LP-100 stations.
The FCC agrees (#58) that if an LPFM licensee has the resources to go IBOC, there should be no regulatory impediments preventing its adoption. The FCC states they will work with LPFM stations who may run into issues regarding their transition to digital as they arise.
REC is currently not aware of any LPFM stations that have converted to digital.
Elsewhere (#94), the FCC has addressed TV Channel 6 issues and recognized the calls by NPR and REC to review Channel 6 in light of the implementation of DAB as well as the conversion to DTV. The FCC notes that stations operating in a Hybrid mode will not introduce new interference to Channel 6 TV stations and will not impose any additional restrictions at this time. The FCC has noted (#96) that they will be opening up a proceeding to address the overall issue of FM and Channel 6 interference at the completion of the DTV transition.
Some of the other major issues the FCC decided:
- Nighttime AM IBOC is permitted.
- IBOC operations are still under international negotiation and stations may reduce or cease IBOC operations in the event of any international issues.
- FM stations will be permitted to operate extended hybrid digital mode.
- It's premature at this time for a all-digital (no analog hybrid) service.
- Station identification is required on all streams.
- Stations may time broker their additional streams.
- All digital stations must simulcast their analog signal in a quality comprible to the analog signal.
- Refrains from imposing a mandatory conversion schedule for digital radio operations.
