FCC Boosts Digital FM Power, Radios Get a Signal Upgrade
Published Date: 5/23/2025
Rule
Summary
The FCC just got the green light to update rules for digital FM radio stations, letting them use different power levels on their digital signals. This change affects FM broadcasters who’ll need to notify the FCC using a new form. The updated rules are official soon, so stations should get ready to switch gears without any surprise costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
FM digital sidebands: asymmetric power allowed
If you operate an FM broadcast station, the FCC now permits operation of digital FM stations with asymmetric power levels on the digital sidebands as adopted in FCC 24-105 (FM Digital First R&O). This change explicitly authorizes asymmetric digital-sideband power for FM stations.
New FCC filing: Schedule 335-FM required
FM broadcasters operating with asymmetric digital-sideband power must notify the Commission using FCC Form 2100, Schedule 335-FM. The Office of Management and Budget approved revisions to the information collection under OMB Control Number 3060-1034 related to this filing requirement, and the Commission will publish the effective date in the Federal Register.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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