§ 74.786   Digital channel assignments.

   (a) An applicant for a new low power television or television
   translator digital station or for changes in the facilities of an
   authorized digital station shall endeavor to select a channel on which
   its operation is not likely to cause interference. The applications
   must be specific with regard to the channel requested. Only one channel
   will be assigned each station.

   (b) Any one of the 12 standard VHF Channels (2 to 13 inclusive) may be
   assigned to a VHF digital low power television or television translator
   station. Channels 5 and 6 assigned in Alaska shall not cause harmful
   interference to and must accept interference from non-Government fixed
   operation authorized prior to January 1, 1982.

   (c) UHF channels 14 to 36 and 38 to 51 may be assigned to a UHF digital
   low power television or television translator station. In accordance
   with § 73.603(c) of this chapter, Channel 37 will not be assigned to
   such stations.

   (d) UHF Channels 52-59 may be assigned to a digital low power
   television or television translator station for use as a digital
   conversion channel. These channels may also be assigned as a companion
   digital channel if the applicant is able to demonstrate that a suitable
   in core channel is not available. Stations proposing use of such
   channels shall notify all potentially affected 700 MHz wireless
   licensees not later than 30 days prior to the submission of their
   application (FCC Form 346). Applicants shall notify wireless licensees
   of the 700 MHz spectrum comprising the same TV channel and the adjacent
   channel within whose licensed geographic boundaries the digital LPTV or
   translator station is proposed to be located, and also notify licensees
   of co-channel and adjacent channel spectrum whose service boundaries
   lie within 75 miles and 50 miles, respectively, of their proposed
   station location. Specific information for this purpose can be obtained
   from the Commission's auction Web site at http://www.fcc.gov/auctions.

   (e) UHF Channels 60-69 may be assigned to a digital low power
   television or television translator station for use as a digital
   conversion channel only. Stations proposing use of such channels shall
   notify all potentially affect 700 MHz commercial licensees not later
   than 30 days prior to the submission of their application (FCC Form
   346) in the manner provided in paragraph of this section. Stations
   proposing use of channels 63, 64, 68 and 69 must secure a coordinated
   spectrum use agreement with the pertinent 700 MHz public safety
   regional planning committee and state administrator prior to the
   submission of their application (FCC Form 346). Coordination shall be
   undertaken with regional planning committee and state administrator of
   the region and state within which the digital LPTV or translator
   station is proposed to be located, and those of adjoining regions and
   states with boundaries within 75 miles of the proposed station
   location. Stations proposing use of channels 62, 65, and 67 must notify
   the pertinent regional planning committee and state administrator not
   later than 30 days prior to the submission of their application (FCC
   Form 346). Notification shall be made to the regional and state
   administrators of region and state within which the digital LPTV or
   translator station is proposed to be located, and those of adjoining
   regions and states with boundaries within 50 miles of the proposed
   station location. Information for this purpose is available at the
   above web site and also at the following internet sites:
   http://wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety700MHzregional.html,
   http://wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/700MHz/state.html, and
   http://wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/700MHz/interop-contacts.html.

   (f) Application for new analog low power television or television
   translator stations specifying operation above Channel 51 will not be
   accepted for filing. Applications for displacement relief on channels
   above 51 will continue to be accepted.

   (g) After 11:59 pm local time on December 31, 2011, low power
   television and TV translator stations may no longer operate any analog
   (NTSC) or digital facilities above Channel 51.

   [ 69 FR 69332 , Nov. 29, 2004, as amended at  76 FR 44828 , July 27, 2011]

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