FCC, calling situation 'win-win,' OKs digital radio plan
By DAVID HO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) - Broadcasters praised the government decision supporting a digital makeover for radio, calling the new technology's clear sound and information services one of the medium's biggest advances in nearly a century.
The Federal Communications Commission voted 4-0 Thursday to adopt digital radio technology created by iBiquity Digital Corp., a company backed by large broadcasters including ABC and Viacom. The approval allows radio stations to immediately begin broadcasting digital signals.
"This is the next step for radio. It's not an issue of if, it's an issue of when," said John Mathews, director of engineering for Radio One Inc., which owns and operates 65 stations and primarily targets black listeners.
Mathews said the Lanham, Md.-based company has ordered digital transmitters and plans to start broadcasts within three months in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit and Los Angeles.
"The quality improvement is just phenomenal," he said. "It's analogous to the transition between cassettes and CDs."
Manufacturers plan to sell digital receivers for car stereos and high-end home audio systems starting next year, adding about $100 to the price of a traditional unit. It's unclear how soon digital technology will be included in portable radios.
The iBiquity technology allows broadcasters to use their existing airwaves to simultaneously send digital and analog signals. Listeners won't have to buy a new radio to continue listening to their favorite stations, but can if they want better sound and other options.
"Local radio stations are poised to deliver one of the most sweeping advancements in broadcasting in nearly a century," said Edward Fritts, president of the National Association of Broadcasters.
The FCC commissioners enthusiastically endorsed the technology, saying it will benefit the radio industry and consumers. "We don't get many items where it's a win-win for everyone," Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy said. "I'm anxious to actually go out and purchase one of the receivers and get this new service for my car."
The commissioners did voice concerns that digital radio might cause interference with broadcasts of reading services for the blind, but said they expected the industry to resolve the problem.
Some supporters of low-powered radio stations - often run by churches, community groups or schools broadcasting to their neighborhoods - worry that the iBiquity system will interfere with their airwaves.
The broadcasters and electronics companies that back digital radio say tests show the system should not cause such problems.
Supporters say the new technology will bring CD-quality sound to FM broadcasts, an end to static for AM and new data features.
Some digital car stereos will have small screens, displaying news or advertising or pictures of the artist whose song is playing. Others will allow listeners to choose when to hear reports on stocks, sports, weather and traffic.
The digital broadcasts will be free, unlike the subscriber services offered by Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio Holdings, which beam music and talk to radios from satellites.
Digital broadcasts use the same language as computers - a series of on and off electronic pulses. Broadcasts with the proposed technology won't increase a radio station's range, but digital signals can be cleaned up, removing garble and uneven reception. |
