June 17, 2011
The decision authorizing the In Band On Channel (IBOC) system became official yesterday when the COFETEL regulation was published in the Diario Oficial de la Nacion ? the Federal Register of Mexico. The official regulation was publicized during a Presidential press conference held at Los Pinos, and included the following statement by President Felipe Calderon: ?I want to invite you to invest in your radio stations, and to take advantage of these new conditions that have just been created, to bring to our country the very latest technology that will allow you to offer much better radio to all Mexicans. We have the opportunity to position ourselves as a world leader.?
The decision by COFETEL to accept HD Radio Technology as a digital standard for Mexico allows for broadcaster?s voluntary use of the iBiquity technology in hybrid mode (analog & digital) by both AM and FM station licensees, as well as the use of iBiquity multicasting technology. The regulation authorizes nationwide implementation of HD Radio Broadcasting.
Robert Struble, President & CEO of the Company stated, ?we are delighted that our IBOC System has been recognized by COFETEL as the right technology to upgrade the Mexican radio industry to a digital platform. HD Radio broadcasting provides tremendous new services to listeners, and presents unique opportunities to broadcasters, their advertisers and the consumer electronics industry. The global importance of the Mexico economy and this development represents major progress toward a common digital radio standard in North America.?
