Congressman Michael G. Oxley Fourth Ohio District OXLEY HOPES TO "CLEAR THE AIR" WITH LOW-POWER FM BILL  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 23, 2000
 
WASHINGTON -- The House Telecommunications Subcommittee will consider U.S. Rep. Michael G. Oxley's (R-Findlay) bill to stop the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) new low-power FM program.
 
"There has been a lot of static on this issue, and we hope to clear the air today," Oxley said.  "The bottom line is that radio listeners and broadcasters should not have to put up with excessive interference."
 
In its rules creating low-power FM service, the FCC relaxed interference standards, indicating that it expects interference.  Private sector studies challenge the FCC's conclusions about acceptable levels of interference.  Additionally, inexpensive and older radios are particularly vulnerable.
 
Current broadcasters are concerned that the new program would create problems in the conversion to digital radio format, which ultimately will allow a greater number of signals to be broadcast on the finite amount of available spectrum.
 
Additionally, Oxley believes that the FCC is not equipped to manage inevitable conflicts that will arise between broadcast services.
 
Today, local and community groups have more opportunities to communicate than ever before, including noncommercial licenses, public access cable, and the Internet.
 
Currently, more than 150 members of Congress are cosponsors of Oxley's legislation.  A legislative hearing was held in the subcommittee on February 17, 2000.
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