WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Broadcasters and America’s Public Television Stations commend the Federal Communications Commission for its adoption of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would modernize the Digital Transmission System (DTS) rules to allow for the enhanced uses that the Next Gen TV Single Frequency Networks (SFN) can provide.
This action was requested in a petition for Rulemaking filed jointly by APTS and NAB with the FCC on October 3, 2019.
“NAB applauds the Commission for proposing deployment of single frequency networks allowing broadcasters to better serve viewers while preserving our commitment to localism. These SFNs could improve service throughout a station’s coverage area and, in particular, near the edge of the coverage area. SFNs could also improve mobile reception and allow more efficient use of broadcast spectrum. FCC staff is to be commended for moving this item quickly, and we look forward to establishment of final rules,” said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith.“America’s Public Television Stations applaud the action taken today by the FCC, a welcome endorsement of changes in the current rules that will allow broadcast television stations to unlock the benefits of Next Gen TV through DTS operations that better serve their viewers while preserving their commitment to localism and avoiding interference issues,” said Patrick Butler, president and CEO of APTS.
“These small changes will improve coverage throughout local public television stations’ service areas and improve their ability to offer robust mobile service. It will also enhance spectrum efficiency by reducing the need for television translators operating on redundant channels. We are grateful to the Commission for helping to ensure that local public television stations can offer enhanced Next Gen TV services to all Americans.”
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