Next to the PPM, is there any bigger topic in radio right now than the debate over FM radio chips in cell phones? That discussion, in fact, could be making its way to the nation’s capital with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) indicating in recent days that they may ask Congress to require new mobile phones to include equipment to receive FM signals.
There are camps lining up on both sides of the issue. On the one hand, opponents argue that consumer preferences, cost and a free enterprise system should preclude government involvement and any drive toward requirements or mandates for such technology. Proponents, meanwhile, point to studies indicating listeners do want to see FM radio chips in mobile phones on a wider scale, while, several manufacturers – including Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, LG and HTC – already offer the option without outrageous price ramifications.
Where do you stand on the issue? In our view, either way, this is not the “end all, be all” for the radio industry – not by a long shot. Listeners have already voted for radio with recent studies demonstrating that 90% of us use the medium regularly. Radio also continues to strongly promote itself in the wireless and mobile worlds via web streaming and cell phone apps. Plus, it is only a matter of time before Wi-Fi is available anyplace at any time.
Still, the prospect of the handheld devise becoming more like the transistor radio of yesteryear is an intriguing one. And while some argue that we are not “programmed” to listen to radio through this medium, why not provide the option and make the technology as user-friendly as possible? Who listened to music at all on their cell phones just a few years ago?
There are obviously many points of discussion on this issue worthy of multiple blogs.
Next time, we’ll examine considerations related to “tune out” and the PPM.