§ 74.786   Digital channel assignments.

   (a) An applicant for a new low power television or television translator
   digital station or for changes in the facilities of an authorized digital
   station shall endeavor to select a channel on which its operation is not
   likely to cause interference. The applications must be specific with regard
   to the channel requested. Only one channel will be assigned each station.

   (b) Any one of the 12 standard VHF Channels (2 to 13 inclusive) may be
   assigned to a VHF digital low power television or television translator
   station.  Channels  5 and 6 assigned in Alaska shall not cause harmful
   interference to and must accept interference from non-Government fixed
   operation authorized prior to January 1, 1982.

   (c) UHF channels 14 to 36 and 38 to 51 may be assigned to a UHF digital low
   power  television or television translator station. In accordance with
   § 73.603(c)  of  this  chapter, Channel 37 will not be assigned to such
   stations.

   (d) UHF Channels 52-59 may be assigned to a digital low power television or
   television translator station for use as a digital conversion channel. These
   channels  may  also  be assigned as a companion digital channel if the
   applicant is able to demonstrate that a suitable in core channel is not
   available.  Stations  proposing  use of such channels shall notify all
   potentially affected 700 MHz wireless licensees not later than 30 days prior
   to the submission of their application (FCC Form 346). Applicants shall
   notify wireless licensees of the 700 MHz spectrum comprising the same TV
   channel and the adjacent channel within whose licensed geographic boundaries
   the digital LPTV or translator station is proposed to be located, and also
   notify licensees of co-channel and adjacent channel spectrum whose service
   boundaries lie within 75 miles and 50 miles, respectively, of their proposed
   station location. Specific information for this purpose can be obtained from
   the Commission's auction Web site at http://www.fcc.gov/auctions.

   (e) UHF Channels 60-69 may be assigned to a digital low power television or
   television translator station for use as a digital conversion channel only.
   Stations proposing use of such channels shall notify all potentially affect
   700 MHz commercial licensees not later than 30 days prior to the submission
   of their application (FCC Form 346) in the manner provided in paragraph of
   this section. Stations proposing use of channels 63, 64, 68 and 69 must
   secure a coordinated spectrum use agreement with the pertinent 700 MHz
   public safety regional planning committee and state administrator prior to
   the submission of their application (FCC Form 346). Coordination shall be
   undertaken with regional planning committee and state administrator of the
   region and state within which the digital LPTV or translator station is
   proposed to be located, and those of adjoining regions and states with
   boundaries  within 75 miles of the proposed station location. Stations
   proposing use of channels 62, 65, and 67 must notify the pertinent regional
   planning committee and state administrator not later than 30 days prior to
   the submission of their application (FCC Form 346). Notification shall be
   made to the regional and state administrators of region and state within
   which the digital LPTV or translator station is proposed to be located, and
   those of adjoining regions and states with boundaries within 50 miles of the
   proposed station location. Information for this purpose is available at the
   above   web   site   and   also   at  the  following  internet  sites:
   http://wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety700MHzregional.html,
   http://wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/700MHz/state.html,            and
   http://wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/700MHz/interop-contacts.html.

   (f) Application for new analog low power television or television translator
   stations specifying operation above Channel 51 will not be accepted for
   filing. Applications for displacement relief on channels above 51 will
   continue to be accepted.

   (g) After 11:59 pm local time on December 31, 2011, low power television and
   TV translator stations may no longer operate any analog (NTSC) or digital
   facilities above Channel 51.

   [ 69 FR 69332 , Nov. 29, 2004, as amended at  76 FR 44828 , July 27, 2011]

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