iBiquity is again asking the FCC to immediately allow broadcasters to increase the power for FM HD Radio transmissions tenfold (a 10 dB increase–to 10 percent of a station’s authorized analog power), with an intermediate increase of 6 dB (fourfold). iBiquity has the support of some 18 owners and four transmitter makers. The FCC may or may not act until NPR Labs completes a follow up study (which does not assume all FM stations are airing HD like the first study) on the proposed increase.
In its 7/6 filing in response to the FCC Media Bureau’s request for public comments (MM Docket No. 99-325), iBiquity stated:
“The current power level represents an unnecessarily conservative power limitation, which is having the unintended consequence of delaying the broader adoption of HD Radio technology thereby having a detrimental impact on the existing commercial FM radio industry…. iBiquity Digital Corporation urges the Commission to authorize an intermediate power increase of 6 dB and work toward authorization of a full 10 dB.”
“iBiquity believes a power increase will enable broadcasters to bring the full benefit of HD Radio technology to the largest possible audience while maintaining the integrity of existing analog FM signals. [The Company] urges the Commission to grant expeditiously the request of [various broadcasters and transmitter manufacturers].”
“iBiquity and Greater Media recently conducted tests in the Boston market to analyze the potential benefits of a 6 dB power increase. Those results are included with Greater Media’s comments in the proceeding. Those tests demonstrate the 6 dB increase in power provides FM broadcasters with a significant improvement in coverage that comes much closer [than the current digital signal] to replicating analog coverage for [personal portable product] users. Therefore, the Commission can conclude there is value to an intermediate increase to help support the imminent introduction of new [hand held] digital products this fall.”
Click the pdf link in the attachment box to the right.
See additional filings:
Entravision–10 db is too much; wait for NPR study to be completed:
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=7019808139
NAB–Pro:
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=7019808310
Joint commenters (broadcasters and manufacturers)–Pro:
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=7019808316
NPR—10 db is too much; wait for their study to be completed as well:
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=7019808354
