FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai – and Part 15 AM? ?? ???
Posted on September 29, 2012
Ok, before I post a copy of comments at a NAB gathering, here’s a cut and paste from the FCC about who he is, (I didn’t know either)…
Ok, before I post a copy of comments at a NAB gathering, here’s a cut and paste from the FCC about who he is, (I didn’t know either)…
Ajit Pai was nominated to the Federal Communications Commission by President Barack Obama and on May 7, 2012 was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate. On May 14, 2012, he was sworn in for a term that concludes on June 30, 2016.
.. Specifically, Commissioner Pai is working to remove uncertainty that can deter businesses and investors from taking risks, to revisit outdated regulations, and to set clear, modernized rules for the road….
More at http://www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai
Now for his comments, which should be read in its entirety just to comprehend better where this guy is coming from, but at the moment the focus is specifically concerning AM Radio.. http://www.fcc.gov/document/commissioner-pai-remarks-radio-show(beginning on page 5):
What else should the Commission be doing with regard to radio broadcasting? To me, it’s time to take another look at our AM radio regulations. The FCC last conducted a thorough review of those rules 21 years ago. Since that time, AM radio has continued its relative decline. There are 20% more FM stations today than there were in 2002. Just another piece of evidence that broadcast radio is still strong. But unfortunately, the number of AM stations has actually fallen during that same period. Moreover, AM’s overall market share is less than 20% right now, and the figures are even lower for younger listeners. Within the 12-34 age range, AM stations currently account for less than 10% of radio listening. These younger listeners should represent the future of AM radio, but many of them never tune in.
In order to reverse these trends, I propose that the Commission launch an AM Radio Revitalization Initiative in early 2013. Specifically, we should conduct a comprehensive review of all our AM radio rules. We should focus on one basic question: are there regulatory barriers we can remove to help this sector rebound?
There have been many changes in technology since we last reviewed these rules back in 1991. One notable change is that AM reception has gotten worse. The causes of interference to AM signals have only expanded in the last two decades. If you’ve tried flipping through the AM dial recently, you know what I’m talking about. But I’m hopeful that we can identify and implement reforms that will improve AM radio service.
In fact, a variety of ideas already have been put on the table for liberalizing the Commission’s technical rules to allow for broader and better reception of AM signals. Some have advocated for an across-the-board power increase for AM stations. Some have called for the use of synchronous AM transmission systems. And some have encouraged the development of so-called “anti-skywave antennas” so that some AM stations won’t have to go dark at night. The AM Radio Revitalization Initiative should explore each of these suggestions and many others; I encourage you to be creative. In addition, because it’s important for the Commission to set deadlines—and stick to them—I believe that we should aim to complete this initiative one year later, in early 2014.
Now, By “across-the-board power increase for AM stations.” — Would not that include Part 15 AM Stations? — or no?
