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iBiquity, NAB Push Sat Radio/HD Radio Interoperability
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As expected, iBiquity Digital, developer of HD Radio technology, encouraged the Federal Communications Commission to initiate a process that could force manufacturers of satellite radio receivers to incorporate HD Radio capabilities in their devices.
In comments sent to the FCC this week, iBiquity said the commission should require HD Radio technology in all satellite radio receivers for OEM vehicle installation and receivers that use a common control or display for satellite and terrestrial AM/FM service. iBiquity said such a requirement "will encourage the development of a competitive platform for satellite and terrestrial digital radio services and will promote the public interest through enhanced competition."
iBiquity asked the FCC to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to address the radio interoperability issue.
Also in its comments, iBiquity told the FCC that the public interest would not be served if HD Radio receivers were mandated to contain satellite radio reception. "Any requirement that HD Radio receivers include satellite radio technology would impose technical constraints and costs on HD Radio technology that could significantly retard the rollout of this important, subscription-free, universally available service," the company said.
In a separate filing, the National Association of Broadcasters asked the FCC to initiate a proceeding on a proposal that could require satellite radios that receive AM/FM service to also receive HD Radio.
"Although still relatively new, HD Radio presents potentially the strongest competitor to Sirius XM, as it offers an increasingly wide variety of mobile, digital quality content in a growing number of local markets across the county," NAB said in its comments. "The potential of HD Radio, however, could well be thwarted by Sirius XM's market power as the only provider of hundreds of satellite radio channels in all local markets in the United States."
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As expected, iBiquity Digital, developer of HD Radio technology, encouraged the Federal Communications Commission to initiate a process that could force manufacturers of satellite radio receivers to incorporate HD Radio capabilities in their devices.
In comments sent to the FCC this week, iBiquity said the commission should require HD Radio technology in all satellite radio receivers for OEM vehicle installation and receivers that use a common control or display for satellite and terrestrial AM/FM service. iBiquity said such a requirement "will encourage the development of a competitive platform for satellite and terrestrial digital radio services and will promote the public interest through enhanced competition."
iBiquity asked the FCC to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to address the radio interoperability issue.
Also in its comments, iBiquity told the FCC that the public interest would not be served if HD Radio receivers were mandated to contain satellite radio reception. "Any requirement that HD Radio receivers include satellite radio technology would impose technical constraints and costs on HD Radio technology that could significantly retard the rollout of this important, subscription-free, universally available service," the company said.
In a separate filing, the National Association of Broadcasters asked the FCC to initiate a proceeding on a proposal that could require satellite radios that receive AM/FM service to also receive HD Radio.
"Although still relatively new, HD Radio presents potentially the strongest competitor to Sirius XM, as it offers an increasingly wide variety of mobile, digital quality content in a growing number of local markets across the county," NAB said in its comments. "The potential of HD Radio, however, could well be thwarted by Sirius XM's market power as the only provider of hundreds of satellite radio channels in all local markets in the United States."