Is it possible to upgrade an LPFM station to a full-service NCE (Noncommercial Educational) station while retaining the same frequency/channel?

In most cases, it’s not feasible to upgrade an LPFM station to a full-service NCE (Noncommercial Educational) station while keeping the same frequency or channel.

The NCE window for applications is limited to the frequency range of 88.191.9 MHz, which corresponds to Channels 201220. These channels are exclusively reserved for noncommercial educational broadcast stations.

Most LPFM stations operate within the band of 92.1107.9 MHz, encompassing Channels 221300.

Even for LPFM stations currently operating on channels within the 88.191.9 MHz range (Channels 201220), securing the same channel for a full-service NCE station may not be possible. Full-service stations have additional regulatory obligations, including protecting other full-service stations on co-, first-, second-, and third-adjacent channels, as well as complying with distance separation requirements concerning commercial stations on Channels 221~300. Furthermore, full-service stations are obligated to protect ten full-service Channel 6 TV stations. They are not required to protect LPFM stations, FM translators, and low-power TV (LPTV) stations on Channel 6.