Friday, May 27, 2011

FCC crackdowns on rogue broadcasters

One way to free up spectrum is to shut down rogue broadcasters. Federal Communications Commission agents have been busy this month (in the USA), issuing more than a quarter-of-a-million dollars in fines. A majority have targeted pirate radio operations.

So far in the month of May, the FCC has issued $258,000 in fines; $141,000 for operation of unlicensed radio transmitters. On May 5, alone, the commission fined five pirates a total of $50,000. Other violations involve failure to maintain functional Emergency Alert System equipment, inadequately maintained transmitter and tower facilities, excessive power levels and improper record-keeping.

(Full story: http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/120506)

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