[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 74 (Monday, April 20, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 17938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8989]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

47 CFR Chapter III

Docket Number: 0810021312-9654-02
RIN 0660-AA18


Low-Power Television and Translator Upgrade Program

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Advanced notice of proposed rulemaking; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA) is withdrawing the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
soliciting comments on the implementation of the Low-Power Television 
and Translator Upgrade Program (Upgrade Program). After reviewing and 
considering the comments received following two public meetings, the 
agency has decided not to proceed with regulations to implement the 
Upgrade Program. NTIA will establish and implement the Upgrade Program 
through a Notice of Availability of Funds (NOFA) to be published 
shortly.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 20, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Cooperman, Upgrade Program, 
Director Broadcasting Division, telephone: (202) 482-5802; fax: (202) 
482-2156. Information about the Upgrade Program also can be obtained 
electronically via the Internet at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/lptv.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 3009 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-
171, 120 Stat. 4, 21 (2006), required the National Telecommunications 
and Information Administration (NTIA) to implement and administer the 
Low-Power Television and Translator Upgrade Program (Upgrade Program). 
The Upgrade Program is intended to provide reimbursement to eligible 
low-power television broadcast stations, Class A television stations, 
television translator stations, or television booster stations for 
equipment to upgrade from analog to digital in eligible rural 
communities. On October 9, 2008, NTIA published an Advanced Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Public Meetings, 73 Fed. Reg. 59,586 
(2008), to announce two public meetings (October 24 and October 28, 
2008) about the Upgrade Program and to provide an opportunity for 
public comment on the issues to be discussed at these public meetings.
    NTIA received 24 public comments on the Upgrade Program through 
mid-November 2008. Information provided at the October 24, 2008, public 
meeting and the comments received are available on NTIA's Web site at 
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/lptv/upgrade.html. After reviewing and 
considering the comments received, NTIA has decided not to proceed with 
regulations to implement the program. NTIA will issue a NOFA that 
provides detailed information concerning the implementation of the 
program in the Federal Register. The comments received will be fully 
discussed in the NOFA.

    Dated: April 14, 2009.
Anna M. Gomez,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.
[FR Doc. E9-8989 Filed 4-17-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-S