A new noncommercial low power FM radio service created by the Federal Communications Commission last month came under fire from major broadcasters in a recent court challenge.
The National Association of Broadcasters said the new service, expected to be used primarily by churches, schools and community groups, would create too much interference with existing radio stations.
The group asked the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to throw out the FCC plan.
"The FCC has violated its most sacred trust to the American consumer," NAB President Edward Fritts said in a statement. "It has turned its back on spectrum integrity. The plan to cram in hundreds, if not thousands, of low power FM stations will create unacceptable interference across the radio dial."
Backers of the new service said the FCC would be upheld, pointing to test results showing no undue interference.
"The FCC was on absolutely solid legal ground," said Cheryl Leanza, who represented low power proponents and is deputy director of the Media Access Project. "It had a wide ranging technical record before it and made a very conservative decision."