REC Networks is the national regulatory advocacy supporting small radio broadcast stations, such as those in the noncommercial educational (NCE) sector with a very strong focus on the Low Power FM (LPFM) broadcast service.

In December, 2023, the FCC had conducted a filing window for new LPFM construction permits. On December 17, 2023, the FCC released the details of the applications filed in that window. A total of 1,336 applications were filed.

Since the close of the LPFM filing window, REC Networks has received many inquiries regarding 17 LPFM construction permit applications filed during the 2023 Third Generation LPFM Filing Window from organizations with the name “CPC of the WMM”. 

As a part of REC’s “post-window” activities, we have provided our own evaluation of each MX Group.  During this evaluation we looked at specific aspects of the application:

As of the time of this writing (Saturday, December 16, 2023), the FCC has not yet released the information on the applications filed in the 2023 LPFM Filing Window. The FCC's methods of handling of the application data post window is a great departure to how the 2021 NCE Filing Window was done where we were able to see all of the applications filed approximately two hours after the window closed. We understand that there are some back office functions that need to take place which may require taking LMS down for a period of time. Therefore, we do not know when this will take place.

At the request of members of the LPFM community, prompted by the recent LMS vulerability incident, the FCC has granted a short extension of the LPFM filing window.  

The window will now close on Friday, December 15 at 12 NOON EASTERN TIME.  

During an FCC filing window for new broadcast construction permits, such as the 2021 Noncommercial Educational (NCE) FM filing window and the current 2023 Third Generation Low Power FM (LPFM) filing window, the FCC suppresses the applications in the License Management System (LMS) from being publicly viewed until after the close of the window.  This is in order to assure the fairness of the window as all applications filed in the window are considered as simultaneously filed.

A recent discussion on a Facebook group related to Low Power FM (LPFM) had expressed concern over what was being called by some as a “data breach”.  Specifically, it was reported that it was possible to view LPFM applications that were filed during the window period prior to the close of the window period.