Digital Rulemaking Delay Affects Microradio Timing.(Federal Communications Commission's rulemaking, radio conversion to digital)(Brief Article)

National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management, October, 1999 by Bachman, Katy

Radio's transition to digital will have to wait a bit longer. The FCC'S proposed rulemaking that would set the wheels in motion for the industry's transition to digital audio broadcast was delayed last Thursday. Some details remain unresolved, and the commission said it would be a few days before the proposal was released.

The decision also delayed the comment period on the contentious issue of low-power FM stations. LPFM reply comments are due two weeks after the rulemaking is issued. USA Digital Radio, Lucent Digital Radio and Digital Radio Express are expected to present results of their testing on Dec. 15 to the National Radio Systems Committee, a joint committee of the National Association of Broadcasters and the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association.