Reaction from those who supported an FM IBOC power increase has begun to come in.
Not surprisingly, IBOC technology developer iBiquity President/CEO Bob Struble was very pleased with the FCC’s decision to adopt rules allowing a voluntary FM digital power increase. Talking with Radio World, he noted that the FCC order mentioned the iBiquity/NPR compromise in several instances.
He called the order “another significant milestone in the rollout of HD Radio Technology.”
The commission wanted the industry to come together on a solution to the power increase, specifically on how it could be accomplished with the least amount of interference to a station’s analog neighbors. At the fall NAB Radio Show, Media Bureau officials had said they were ready to move on the issue and sought industry suggestions.
“The commission has worked closely with the radio broadcast industry on this item,” Struble said, “and chose a prudent course for the power increase which met the needs and addressed the concerns of the key constituents. This is another fine example of successful collaboration between the government and the private sector, and it promises to further enhance the benefits of HD Radio Technology to all Americans.”
The National Association of Broadcasters applauded the commission action, saying “the ruling will mean greatly improved indoor reception for HD Radio listeners and greater service reliability for portable HD Radio devices,” according to Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton in a statement.