Subject: NEW CANADIAN LOW POWER LICENSING POLICY [Note: This was received by the moderator of rec.radio.broadcasting and was felt to be of sufficient intereste to cross-post. Bill] [In Canada] Non-profit broadcasters have gained an advantage when applying for Low Power radio allotments in congested areas with a new CRTC Policy announced last summer. Public Notice 1993-95, entitled "A Licensing Policy for Low Power Radio Broadcasting" establishes guidelines for the allotment of unprotected allotments of less than 50 watts ERP. This policy does not affect licensees or applications for protected class allotments of greater than 50 watts. The Comission initiated a review of Low Power policies in 1991 in response to the growing requests for LP frequencies, especially for non- conventional services in congested areas. The NCRA's comments to the Commission calling for preferential treatment for conventional non-profit services and severe limits on non-conventional services was well reflected in the new policies. The notice establishes two tiers of priority services for low power frequncies in congested areas. This means that some types of services will have priority over others when the commission makes licensing decisions. The Commission notes congested areas to currently include the Montreal area, Southern Ontario and the lower mainland / Island of British Columbia. The new heirarchy of service places conventional not for profit radio services (community, campus, native, etc.) at the top of the first tier, followed by originating private broadcasters, local private rebroadcasters and distant rebroadcasters (including CBC rebroads). The second tier will include non-profit public information services (i.e. traffic/weather info services) and commercial announcement services (real estate / talking billboards). The Commission also established a policy of issuing a call for competiting applications upon receipt of any application for a low power drop in allotment in areas where frequencies are scarce. This will include applications from non-profit broadcasters. The commission noted that, in addition to the priority heirarchy, the duration of the proposed service, the proposed power and the availability of alternate delivery means may be used in assessing competing applications. The new policy also places a general requirement on all LP licensees to adhere to all existing policies for other services. However, the Commission notes that individual applications for exemptions from specific policies will be dealt with on a case by case basis.