The Federal Communications Commission has adopted application limits and eligibility restrictions for the upcoming 2026 filing window for new noncommercial educational reserved band FM translator construction permits.
The action was adopted May 26, 2026, and released May 28, 2026, in Public Notice FCC 26-37 in MB Docket No. 26-20. The filing window will be the first-ever opportunity to apply for new NCE reserved band FM translators on Channels 201 through 220.
Under the adopted rule, each applicant must be the licensee or permittee of an existing NCE FM station, noncommercial AM station, or LPFM station that the proposed translator will rebroadcast. The Commission also adopted a general cap of ten applications per applicant entity.
Lower caps will apply to LPFM applicants. Tribal LPFM applicants may file no more than four applications nationally, while other LPFM applicants may file no more than two applications nationally. If an applicant exceeds the applicable cap, the Media Bureau will retain the applications filed first, based on application receipt data, and dismiss later-filed applications that exceed the limit.
The FCC also adopted a four-year holding period for authorizations granted in the window. From grant of the construction permit until the facility has completed four years of on-air operation, the permittee or licensee must continue rebroadcasting the primary station identified on the authorization and may not assign or transfer the translator authorization to another entity unless the primary station is assigned or transferred to the same entity.
The Commission said the limits are intended to deter speculative filings, reduce processing delays, preserve spectrum for future secondary services, and allow legitimate applicants a meaningful opportunity to obtain new NCE reserved band FM translator authorizations.