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In 1992, the United States of America reached an [https://transition.fcc.gov/bureaus/ib/sand/agree/files/mex-bc/fmbc.pdf agreement] with the [[wikipedia::Mexico|United Mexican States]] over the use of the FM channels in the border region.  The agreement classifies both LPFM stations and FM translators as "LPFM" stations for the purposes of the agreement.

In addition to the distance separation requirements, LPFM stations within 125 kilometers of Mexico may not extend a 60 dBu contour more than 8.7 kilometers (5.4 miles) towards the other country.  In addition, the 34 dBu interfering contour cannot extend more than 32 kilometers (19.9 miles) towards the other country.   

For foreign FM stations in the Caribbean region, the FCC does not have any specific bilateral or multilateral agreements with any other nation's administration.  Therefore, there are no specific distance separation requirements to other FM facilities outside of the United States territories.

The assignment of frequencies to LPFM stations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also reported to the International Telecommunications Union's Master International Frequency Register.  As a result, LPFM stations, especially those in the U.S. Virgin Islands may receive objections and interference complaints from other nations in the Caribbean region.  Such objections and complaints would be lodged through the FCC's International Bureau, which will in turn contact the Media Bureau, which may order the LPFM station to cease operations.  LPFM stations in the U.S. Virgin Islands should choose a channel that would not cause interference with FM stations in the [[wikipedia:British Virgin Islands|British Virgin Islands]].  

This rule was first enacted in the original ''LPFM Report and Order'' in January, 2000.  The original rules included the 10-watt LP-10 service, instituted the 20 kilometer "buffer zone" and did not require the protection of third-adjacent channels.

In the ''Order on Reconsideration'' enacted September 2000, the rule was clarified to state that LPFM applications during a filing window only need to protect other facilities that were filed prior to the public notice announcing the LPFM filing window.  Rules were also clarified to clarify that existing stations would be protected based on standard distances based on their service class.

Less than a month later, the ''Streamlining Order'' enacted the new C0 class of service.  The domestic LPFM distance separation tables were amended to add this new class of service between classes C1 and C.  

With the enactment of the [[Radio Broadcast Protection Act of 2001]], a part of an appropriations legislation for the District of Columbia, the ''[[Second Report and Order]]'' imposed the requirement that LPFM stations must protect domestic FM facilities on third-adjacent channels.