REC Rate Schedule for Third Generation LPFM Filing Window
REC Networks - Third Generation LPFM Filing Window: Level of Effort Rate Schedule
REC does not charge by the hour, instead, we have a fixed rate schedule based on exactly what needs to be done in the filing window.
Rate card updated on September 1 to reflect a reduction in the advance payment requirement for Show of Interest requests received between September 1 through September 7, 2023. Also, the requirement that the organization is already a nonprofit at the time of submitting the Show of Interest has been waived until September 7. Your organization will still need to be a nonprofit organization before we can move forward with working out your proposed facility. The FCC only licenses LPFM stations to bona fide non-profit organizations established in any state. Government and Tribal entities should contact REC Networks directly.
| Type | Description | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Advance payment - To establish relationship and obtain information on available channels in area If paid, it applies to offset the Base Rates shown below. |
||
| Advance payment |
The advance payment is to request REC Networks' engagement in the project. Upon payment, REC can discuss with the applicant as well as grant access to self-service systems that will make available: the actual frequencies that are available for a new LPFM station, identification of potentially interfering stations and stations considered in second adjacent channel waivers. It will also allow for research of other locations within 10 miles of the original search location in order to determine alternative sites. The advance payment will be applied towards the rates shown below for actual filing services from REC. Advance payments are not refundable for any reason, including any FCC decision to not conduct an LPFM filing window or if the client decides to either (1) file the application themselves, (2) hire someone else to file the application or (3) elects to not participate in the Third Generation LPFM filing window; or if subsequent application activity by other broadcast stations eliminate the only opportunities for new LPFM stations in the area. By making this advance payment, client understands and accepts that risk. Please note, when the advance payment goes up, that does not mean the overall fees go up. This only means that the amount that you have to pay in advance to secure our services only goes up. In the end, you will still pay the remaining balance. Remember: What you pay up front, goes towards what is paid below. For example, let's say the advance payment is $500 and your application comes out to $1,100. Since you already paid $500 in the early part of the process, you will only need to pay the remaining $600 before the application is started in the FCC systems. |
$200.00 if made prior to the FCC issuing a public notice to announce the dates of the Third Generation LPFM filing window. $300.00 if made on or after the date the FCC issues a public notice to announce the dates of the Third Generation LPFM filing window. $500.00 if Show of interest is made between September 1 through September 7, 2023 $1,000 if Show of Interest is made on or after September 8, 2023. (If capacity is still available) |
| Base Rates - Applies to all requests | ||
| Filing Window "Full Service" Base Rate | This is the base rate for REC handling of the filing of an LPFM original construction permit application in the Third Generation LPFM filing window. This includes application preparation, filing and status monitoring. This includes assistance in preparing educational statements and other basic exhibit information required of all LPFM applicants. In the event of mutual exclusivity (MX), one technical amendment is included in this rate in order to break the applicant out of MX group or in conjunction with a settlement agreement. In the event of a granted application, this base rate also includes the filing of a License to Cover application filed following the completion of construction. This rate assumes the applicant does not require a second-adjacent channel waiver or falls into any other situations that are covered by an incremental rate on either the original construction permit application or any amendment filed. |
$1,000.00 for applicants that quality as private sector educational organizations or institutions. $1,200.00 for applicants that qualify as public sector educational institutions, government agencies or tribal organizations for the first application. $500.00 per application for any additional application filed by applicants that qualify as public sector educational institutions, government agencies or tribal organizations. |
| Add on fees - fees for specific additional situations that are changed in addition to the base rates shown above | ||
| Second Adjacent Channel Waiver (Lower tier) | Applications that meet the §73.807 distance separation requirements for co-channel and first-adjacent channel, but not second-adjacent channel will require a waiver request in order to demonstrate that interference will not reach any occupied areas. The lower tier add-on fee is used in situations where the incoming second-adjacent channel field strength is strong enough that the interference will not reach the ground on stand-alone towers or reach occupied areas in the case of roof-top antennas thus not requiring either a contour study or a depression angle study to demonstrate compliance. | $100.00 |
| Second Adjacent Channel Waiver (Upper tier) | Applications that meet the §73.807 distance separation requirements for co-channel and first-adjacent channel, but not second-adjacent channel will require a waiver request in order to demonstrate that interference will not reach any occupied areas. The upper tier add-on fee is used in situations where the incoming second-adjacent channel field strength is not strong enough at the LPFM site meaning that the interference from a standard antenna will reach occupied areas and therefore either a contour study or a depression angle study is necessary to demonstrate that based on actual service contour of the short-spaced second-adjacent station or based on the design of the antenna, that interference will not reach any occupied area. |
$100.00** |
| "20 foot rule" antenna structure registration exemption | At locations that are located within the glide slope of an airport or heliport where antenna structure registration is normally necessary, an exception can be made if the proposed antenna tower structure does not exceed more than 20 feet (6.1 meters) above the highest point of a building. | $50.00 |
| Other antenna structure registration situations |
For sites with antenna structure registration numbers (ASRN), REC will add the information to the application at no additional charge. For sites without an ASRN, REC does not provide any antenna structure registration services. LPFM stations subject to antenna structure registration will need to obtain services to handle the structure registration process. Once an applicant is granted an ASRN, REC will amend the application to reflect the ASRN at no additional charge. |
|
| Reserved band Channel 6 contour protection | For LPFM proposals in the reserved band (88.1~91.9) that do not meet the §73.825 minimum distance separation requirements where a contour study using the methods of §74.1205 and a waiver is requested to demonstrate lack of interference to Channel 6 TV stations. This fee will not be charged if the applicant initially has written concurrence from the affected TV station. | $150.00** |
| Directional antenna add-on | For applicants needing to use a directional antenna in conjunction with either Second Adjacent Channel Waiver (Upper tier) or Reserved band Channel 6 contour protection, this add-on applies. | $100.00 |
| Directional antenna (stand alone) | For applicants requesting to use a directional antenna for any purpose other than Second Adjacent Channel Waiver (Upper tier) or Reserved band Channel 6 contour protection. This includes directional antennas needed to address international agreements (such as the Mexico 125 km strip zone), public safety applicants using directional antennas as permitted in the rules or any applicant desiring to use a directional antenna for any other purpose. | $150.00** |
| Installation on an active AM broadcast tower | While possible, installation of LPFM antennas on an active (hot) AM broadcast tower is not recommended. This requires notification to the AM station and the AM station may need to file with the FCC to make direct measurements to verify that the installation of the LPFM station antenna did not adversely affect their site parameters. REC does not provide any technical filing services for AM facilities. This would need to be directly coordinated between the LPFM applicant and the AM station. If the AM station provides the appropriate documentation to support the installation, we will include it in the license to cover filing and this add-on fee covers that. | $50.00 |
| Installation near an active AM broadcast tower | If it is determined that the location of the proposed LPFM station's antenna structure is situated where it requires notification to one or more AM stations, pursuant to Part 1, Subpart BB, AM station notification and testing may be required (which REC does not handle). Exceptions can be made if it is determined that the LPFM tower structure is not base insulated (i.e. not previously used for an AM broadcast station). REC's add-on fee in this case, addresses the handling of any documents provided from an AM station or the exhibit otherwise showing Subpart BB compliance. | $50.00 |
| Radio Astronomy Notification | This fee is charged if REC needs to notify a radio astronomy receiving location pursuant to §1.924 and §73.1030 of the FCC Rules. This includes all applications from Puerto Rico (Arecibo); within 3 miles of Table Mountain, Colorado; and requests within the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ) in West Virginia for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and Naval Radio Research Observatory (NRRO).. |
$50.00 (Arecibo) $100.00 (NRQZ, NRAO, NRRO) |
** - Rate changed as of 05/01/2023 and reflects a decrease from the previously quoted rate.
Any requested amendments to applications other than those specifically covered in this chart are handled through REC's normal Level of Effort and a rate will be quoted prior to filing.
For more information on policies, please see REC Terms and Conditions for the Third Generation LPFM Filing Window.
Updated September 7, 2023 to remove "docs only" base rate option.