2-7-2012
The NAB says the Consumer Electronics Association and the Wirelss Association (also known as CTIA) are being less than truthful when talking about the FM Chip issue. NAB Executive VP of Communications Dennis Wharton says the groups sent a letter to the Congressional Black Caucus claiming broadcasters are looking for FM chips to be mandated in cellphones and that just isn't true. Broadcasters want the chip included in all cellphones because they say it's a safety issue for consumers who need the kind of community servicethat only radio can deliver in times of an emergency.
Wharton writes, "It's disappointing that CEA, CTIA and musicFirst are falsely claiming that NAB is seeking a mandated radio chip in cellphones. We have said repeatedly to these organizations that NAB supports a market solution to this issue, and even CTIA admits as much in the attached fact sheet."
Organizations opposed to the FM chip idea, such as the CTIA, say "as devices continue to evolve, chip and antenna space is at a premium. Requiring that devices carry an FM chip may foreclose opportunities to include other functionality that may be more highly valued by consumers and harm competition among device makers by limiting opportunities for differentiation. NAB is already well aware that there are dozens of mobile devices currently offered with enabled FM radio. Literally dozens of phones ? including the latest and hottest-selling smartphones ? are offered with enabled FM radio and that number continues to grow, as NAB itself acknowledges."
Wharton says chip opponents are distorting the NAB's position. "CEA, CTIA and musicFirst are doing a disservice to policymakers who deserve open and honest information. From a public safety perspective alone, voluntary introduction of radio chips in cellphones makes perfect sense. It would be our hope that when it comes to saving lives in times of emergency, our friends at CEA, CTIA and musicFirst would move beyond intimidation tactics and special interest politics and encourage a substantive debate on the merits of this issue."
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