LPTV Association Wants Power Increases, 5G Broadcast Pilots
The FCC should allow low-power TV and Class A stations to increase their power and “unlock opportunities” for 5G broadcast pilot programs, said LPTV Broadcasters Association Chairman Frank Copsidas in a meeting last week with acting Media Bureau Chief Erin Boone and Media Bureau staff. “LPTV power limits were established over 30 years ago and reflect the technology of the time,” said an ex parte filing posted Friday in docket 25-224. “Broadcast technology has come a long way and the technology exists to allow LPTV/Class A stations to increase their power while keeping their signal within the licensed contour,” it said. “This would result in much improved reception for consumers and/or first responders, definitely serving the best interest of the public.”
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Creating 5G broadcast pilot programs would “place the United States as a world leader in 5G Broadcast, particularly for first responder solutions and critical, backup emergency alerts that are critical in natural disasters,” the filing added. The association also argued that current emergency alert system hardware requirements are outdated and that the FCC shouldn’t require LPTV stations to convert to ATSC 3.0.