Goto Section: 73.622 | 73.624 | Table of Contents
FCC 73.623
Revised as of October 2, 2015
Goto Year:2014 |
2016
§ 73.623 DTV applications and changes to DTV allotments.
(a) General. This section contains the technical criteria for evaluating
applications requesting DTV facilities that do not conform to the provisions
of § 73.622 and petitions for rule making to amend the pre-transition DTV
Table of Allotments (§ 73.622(b)). Petitions to amend the DTV Table (other
than those also expressly requesting amendment of this section) and
applications for new DTV broadcast stations or for changes in authorized DTV
stations filed pursuant to this section will not be accepted for filing if
they fail to comply with the requirements of this section. Petitions for
rule making and applications seeking facilities that will operate after the
end of the DTV transition must also comply with § 73.616.
(b) In considering petitions to amend the DTV Table and applications filed
pursuant to this section, the Commission will use geographic coordinates
defined in § 73.622(d) as reference points in determining allotment
separations and evaluating interference potential.
(c) Minimum technical criteria for modification of DTV allotments included
in the initial DTV Table of Allotments and for applications filed pursuant
to this section. No petition to modify a channel allotment included in the
initial DTV Table of Allotments or application for authority to construct or
modify a DTV station assigned to such an allotment, filed pursuant to this
section, will be accepted unless it shows compliance with the requirements
of this paragraph.
(1) Requests filed pursuant to this paragraph must demonstrate compliance
with the principal community coverage requirements of section 73.625(a).
(2) Requests filed pursuant to this paragraph must demonstrate that the
requested change would not result in more than an additional 2 percent the
population served by another station being subject to interference;
provided, however, that no new interference may be caused to any station
that already experiences interference to 10 percent or more of its
population or that would result in a station receiving interference in
excess of 10 percent of its population. The station population values for
existing NTSC service and DTV service contained in Appendix B of the
Memorandum Opinion and Order on Reconsideration of the Sixth Report and
Order in MM Docket No. 87-268, FCC 98-24, adopted January 29, 1998,
referenced in § 73.622(c), are to be used for the purposes of determining
whether a power increase or other change is permissible under this de
minimis standard. For evaluating compliance with this requirement,
interference to populations served is to be predicted based on the procedure
set forth in OET Bulletin No. 69, including population served within service
areas determined in accordance with section 73.622(e), consideration of
whether F(50,10) undesired signals will exceed the following
desired-to-undesired (D/U) signal ratios, assumed use of a directional
receiving antenna, and use of the terrain dependent Longley-Rice
point-to-point propagation model. Copies of OET Bulletin No. 69 may be
inspected during normal business hours at the: Federal Communications
Commission, Room CY-C203, 445 12th Street, SW., Reference Information
Center, Washington, DC 20554. These documents are also available through the
Internet on the FCC Home Page at http://www.fcc.gov. The threshold levels at
which interference is considered to occur are:
D/U Ratio
Co-channel:
DTV-into-analog TV + 34
Analog TV-into-DTV + 2
DTV-into-DTV + 15
First Adjacent Channel:
Lower DTV-into-analog TV −14
Upper DTV-into-analog TV −17
Lower analog TV-into-DTV −48
Upper analog TV-into-DTV −49
Lower DTV-into-DTV −28
Upper DTV-into-DTV −26
Other Adjacent Channel (Channels 14-69 only)
DTV-into-analog TV, where N = analog TV channel and DTV Channel:
N-2 −24
N + 2 −28
N-3 −30
N + 3 −34
N-4 −34
N + 4 −25
N-7 −35
N + 7 −43
N-8 −32
N + 8 −43
N + 14 −33
N + 15 −31
(3) The values in paragraph (c)(2) of this section for co-channel
interference to DTV service are only valid at locations where the
signal-to-noise ratio is 28 dB or greater for interference from DTV and 25
dB or greater for interference from analog TV service. At the edge of the
noise-limited service area, where the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio is 16 dB,
these values are 21 dB and 23 dB for interference from analog TV and DTV,
respectively. At locations where the S/N ratio is greater than 16 dB but
less than 28 dB, D/U values for co-channel interference to DTV are as
follows:
(i) For DTV-to-DTV interference, the minimum D/U ratios are computed from
the following formula:
D/U = 15 + 10log10[1.0/(1.0−10−x/10)]
Where x = S/N-15.19 (minimum signal to noise ratio)
(ii) For analog-to-DTV interference, the minimum D/U ratios are found from
the following Table (for values between measured values, linear
interpolation can be used):
Signal-to-noise ratio (dB) Desired-to-undesired ratio (dB)
16.00 21.00
16.35 19.94
17.35 17.69
18.35 16.44
19.35 7.19
20.35 4.69
21.35 3.69
22.35 2.94
23.35 2.44
25.00 2.00
(4) Due to the frequency spacing that exists between Channels 4 and 5,
between Channels 6 and 7, and between Channels 13 and 14, the minimum
adjacent channel technical criteria specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this
section shall not be applicable to these pairs of channels (see § 73.603(a)).
(5) A DTV station application that proposes to expand the DTV station's
allotted or authorized coverage area in any direction will not be accepted
if it is predicted to cause interference to a Class A TV station or to a
digital Class A TV station authorized pursuant to Subpart J of this part,
within the protected contour defined in § 73.6010 of this part. This
paragraph applies to all DTV applications filed after May 1, 2000, and to
DTV applications filed between December 31, 1999 and April 30, 2000 unless
the DTV station licensee or permittee notified the Commission of its intent
to “maximize” by December 31, 1999.
(i) Interference is predicted to occur if the ratio in dB of the field
strength of a Class A TV station at its protected contour to the field
strength resulting from the facilities proposed in the DTV application
(calculated using the appropriate F(50,10) chart from Figure 9a, 10a, or 10c
of § 73.699 of this part) fails to meet the D/U signal ratios for
“DTV-into-analog TV” specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
(ii) Interference is predicted to occur if the ratio in dB of the field
strength of a digital Class A TV station at its protected contour to the
field strength resulting from the facilities proposed in the DTV application
(calculated using the appropriate F(50,10) chart from Figure 9a, 10a, or 10c
of § 73.699 of this part) fails to meet the D/U signal ratios for
“DTV-into-DTV” specified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section.
(iii) In support of a request for waiver of the interference protection
requirements of this section, an applicant for a DTV broadcast station may
make full use of terrain shielding and Longley-Rice terrain dependent
propagation methods to demonstrate that the proposed facility would not be
likely to cause interference to Class A TV stations. Guidance on using the
Longely-Rice methodology is provided in OET Bulletin No. 69, which is
available through the Internet at
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/bulletins/#69.
(d) Minimum geographic spacing requirements for DTV allotments not included
in the initial DTV Table of Allotments. No petition to add a new channel to
the DTV Table of Allotments or modify an allotment not included in the
initial DTV Table will be accepted unless it shows compliance with the
requirements of this paragraph.
(1) Requests filed pursuant to this paragraph must demonstrate compliance
with the principle community coverage requirements of section 73.625(a).
(2) Requests filed pursuant to this paragraph must meet the following
requirements for geographic spacing with regard to all other DTV stations,
DTV allotments and analog TV stations:
Channel relationship Separation requirement
VHF Channels 2-13:
Co-channel, DTV to DTV
Zone I: 244.6 km.
Zones II & III: 273.6 km.
Co-channel, DTV to analog TV
Zone I: 244.6 km.
Zone II & III: 273.6 km.
Adjacent Channel:
DTV to DTV No allotments permitted between:
Zone I: 20 km and 110 km.
Zones II & III: 23 km and 110 km.
DTV to analog TV No allotments permitted between:
Zone I: 9 km and 125 km.
Zone II & III: 11 km and 125 km.
UHF Channels:
Co-channel, DTV to DTV
Zone I: 196.3 km.
Zone II & III: 223.7 km.
Co-channel, DTV to analog TV
Zone I: 217.3 km.
Zone II & III: 244.6 km.
Adjacent Channel:
DTV to DTV No allotments permitted between:
All Zones: 24 km and 110 km.
DTV to analog TV No allotments permitted between:
All Zones: 12 km and 106 km.
Taboo Channels, DTV to analog TV only (DTV channels ±2, ±3, ±4, ±7, ±8, and
14 or 15 channels above the analog TV channel) No allotments permitted
between:
Zone I: 24.1 km and 80.5 km.
Zone II & III: 24.1 km and 96.6 km.
(3) Zones are defined in § 73.609. The minimum distance separation between a
DTV station in one zone and an analog TV or DTV station in another zone
shall be that of the zone requiring the lower separation.
(4) Due to the frequency spacing that exists between Channels 4 and 5,
between Channels 6 and 7, and between Channels 13 and 14, the minimum
geographic spacing requirements specified in paragraph (d)(3) of this
section shall not be applicable to these pairs of channels (§ 73.603(a)).
(e) Protection of land mobile operations on channels 14-20. The Commission
will not accept petitions to amend the DTV Table of Allotments, applications
for new DTV stations, or applications to change the channel or location of
authorized DTV stations that would use channels 14-20 where the distance
between the DTV reference point as defined in section 73.622(d), would be
located less than 250 km from the city center of a co-channel land mobile
operation or 176 km from the city center of an adjacent channel land mobile
operation. Petitions to amend the DTV Table, applications for new DTV
stations, or requests to modify the DTV Table that do not meet the minimum
DTV-to-land mobile spacing standards will, however, be considered where all
affected land mobile licensees consent to the requested action. Land mobile
operations are authorized on these channels in the following markets:
City Channels Latitude Longitude
Boston, MA 14, 16 42°21′24″ 71°03′25″
Chicago, IL 14, 15 41°52′28″ 87°38′22″
Cleveland, OH 14, 15 41°29′51.2″ 81°41′49.5″
Dallas, TX 16 32°47′09″ 96°47′37″
Detroit, MI 15, 16 42°19′48.1″ 83°02′56.7″
Houston, TX 17 29°45′26″ 95°21′37″
Los Angeles, CA 14, 16, 20 34°03′15″ 118°14′28″
Miami, FL 14 25°46′37″ 80°11′32″
New York, NY 14, 15, 16 40°45′06″ 73°59′39″
Philadelphia, PA 19, 20 39°56′58″ 75°09′21″
Pittsburgh, PA 14, 18 40°26′19″ 80°00′00″
San Francisco, CA 16, 17 37°46′39″ 122°24′40″
Washington, DC 17, 18 38°53′51″ 77°00′33″
(f) Parties requesting new allotments on channel 6 be added to the DTV Table
must submit an engineering study demonstrating that no interference would be
caused to existing FM radio stations on FM channels 200-220.
(g) Negotiated agreements on interference. Notwithstanding the minimum
technical criteria for DTV allotments specified above, DTV stations
operating on allotments that are included in the initial DTV Table may:
operate with increased ERP and/or antenna HAAT that would result in
additional interference to another DTV station or an analog TV station if
that station agrees, in writing, to accept the additional interference;
and/or implement an exchange of channel allotments between two or more
licensees or permittees of TV stations in the same community, the same
market, or in adjacent markets provided, however, that the other
requirements of this section and of section 73.622 are met with respect to
each such application. Such agreements must be submitted with the
application for authority to construct or modify the affected DTV station or
stations. The larger service area resulting from a negotiated change in ERP
and/or antenna HAAT will be protected in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph (c) of this section. Negotiated agreements under this paragraph
can include the exchange of money or other considerations from one station
to another, including payments to and from noncommercial television stations
assigned reserved channels. Applications submitted pursuant to the
provisions of this paragraph will be granted only if the Commission finds
that such action is consistent with the public interest.
(h) DTV application processing. (1) DTV applications for a construction
permit or a modified construction permit pending as of January 18, 2001:
(i) Shall be afforded the interference protection set forth in paragraph (c)
or (d) of this section, as applicable:
(A) By all NTSC minor change applications;
(B) By NTSC new station applications, except those covered by paragraphs
(h)(1)(ii)(G) and (h)(1)(iii)(D) of this section;
(C) By all rulemaking petitions to amend the NTSC TV table of allotments;
(D) By DTV applications filed after January 18, 2001; and
(E) By rulemaking petitions to amend the DTV table of allotments filed after
January 18, 2001;
(ii) Must demonstrate the requisite interference protection set forth in
paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, as applicable, to:
(A) DTV licensed stations;
(B) DTV construction permits;
(C) Existing DTV allotments;
(D) Rulemaking petitions to amend the DTV table of allotments for which a
Notice of Proposed Rule Making has been released and the comment deadline
specified therein has passed prior to the filing date of the DTV
application;
(E) NTSC stations with licenses covering construction permits that were
granted before the DTV application was filed;
(F) NTSC construction permits that were granted before the DTV application
was filed;
(G) Applications for new NTSC television stations that were in groups of
mutually exclusive applications on file prior to July 1, 1997, regardless of
whether they are the only applications that remain pending from their group.
(iii) That do not provide the requisite interference protection set forth in
paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, as applicable, to the following
applications and petitions will be deemed mutually exclusive with those
applications and petitions:
(A) Other DTV applications pending as of January 18, 2001;
(B) Rulemaking petitions to amend the DTV table of allotments filed on or
before January 18, 2001 for which a Notice of Proposed Rule Making had been
released and the comment deadline specified therein had not passed prior to
the filing date of the DTV application;
(C) Rulemaking petitions to amend the DTV table of allotments filed on or
before January 18, 2001 for which a Notice of Proposed Rule Making had not
been released; and
(D) Applications for new NTSC stations that are not covered by paragraph
(h)(1)(ii)(G) of this section and were filed and accepted for filing on or
before January 18, 2001 that:
(1) Were filed by post-auction winners pursuant to § 73.5005.
(2) Are part of a settlement agreement on-file with the Commission that
would result in the grant of the NTSC application; or
(3) Are cut-off singletons.
(2) DTV applications for a construction permit or a modified construction
permit filed after January 18, 2001:
(i) Shall be afforded the interference protection set forth in paragraph (c)
or (d) of this section, as applicable:
(A) By all NTSC minor change applications;
(B) By NTSC new station applications, except those covered by paragraph
(h)(2)(ii)(H) and (I) of this section;
(C) By all rulemaking petitions to amend the NTSC TV table of allotments
except those filed by NTSC applicants in those groups defined in
(h)(2)(ii)(I) of this section for which a Notice of Proposed Rule Making has
been released and the comment deadline specified therein has passed prior to
the filing date of the DTV application;
(D) By later-filed DTV applications; and
(E) By later-filed rulemaking petitions to amend the DTV table of
allotments;
(ii) Must demonstrate the requisite interference protection set forth in
paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, as applicable, to:
(A) DTV licensed stations;
(B) DTV construction permits;
(C) Earlier-filed DTV applications;
(D) Existing DTV allotments;
(E) Rulemaking petitions to amend the DTV table of allotments for which a
Notice of Proposed Rule Making has been released and the comment deadline
specified therein has passed prior to the filing date of the DTV
application;
(F) NTSC stations with licenses covering construction permits that were
granted before the DTV application was filed;
(G) NTSC construction permits that were granted before the DTV application
was filed; and
(H) Earlier-filed and accepted for filing applications for new NTSC stations
that are not covered by paragraph (h)(2)(ii)(I) of this section, and that:
(1) Were filed by post-auction winners pursuant to § 73.5005.
(2) Are part of a settlement agreement on-file with the Commission that
would result in the grant of the NTSC application; or
(3) Are cut-off singletons;
(I) Applications for new NTSC television stations that were in groups of
mutually exclusive applications on file prior to July 1, 1997, regardless of
whether they are the only applications that remain pending from their group;
(J) Rulemaking petitions to amend the NTSC table of allotments filed by
applicants defined in (h)(2)(ii)(I) of this section for which a Notice of
Proposed Rule Making has been released and the comment deadline specified
therein has passed prior to the filing of the DTV application.
(iii) That do not provide the requisite interference protection set forth in
paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, as applicable, to the following
applications and petitions will be deemed mutually exclusive with those
applications and petitions:
(A) Other DTV applications filed the same day;
(B) Rulemaking petitions to amend the DTV table of allotments for which a
Notice of Proposed Rule Making had been released and the comment deadline
specified therein had not passed prior to the filing date of the DTV
application; and
(C) Earlier-filed rulemaking petitions to amend the DTV table of allotments
for which a Notice of Proposed Rule Making had not been released.
(3) DTV applicants, DTV applicants and NTSC applicants, or DTV applicants
and DTV rulemaking petitioners that are mutually exclusive pursuant to this
section will be notified by Public Notice and provided with a 90-day period
of time to resolve their mutual exclusivity via engineering amendment or
settlement. Those applications and petitions that remain mutually exclusive
upon conclusion of the 90-day settlement period will be dismissed.
[ 62 FR 26719 , May 14, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 13560 , Mar. 20, 1998; 64 FR 4327 , Jan. 28, 1999; 65 FR 30002 , May 10, 2000; 65 FR 58467 , Sept. 29, 2000;
66 FR 9984 , Feb. 13, 2001; 66 FR 65134 , Dec. 18, 2001; 69 FR 31906 , June 8,
2004; 73 FR 5683 , Jan. 30, 2008]
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2016
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