Ibiquity to Waive Some Licensing Fees

Ibiquity Digital is willing to waive its licensing fee for stations that convert to in-band, on-channel digital audio broadcasting – now called HD Radio – this year. Radio One is the first radio group to do so. The licensing fees are separate from the money broadcasters would pay to purchase IBOC equipment and are based on a formula containing a station’s annual FCC regulatory fee.
“Radio One is committed to radio’s digital future and our rollout plans for HD Radio technology include Los Angeles, Detroit, Boston and Atlanta by year’s end. I encourage my broadcaster colleagues to join us in these markets, and others, as soon as possible.” Ibiquity hopes this fall the FCC will endorse IBOC and approve a way for stations to transition this year.