This statement contains a misconception. It’s important to differentiate between broadcasting and subsidiary services. Broadcasting encompasses services that can be received using a standard radio, without any special arrangements or subscriptions. On the other hand, subsidiary services are not accessible to the general public and necessitate a subscription for reception. In digital television, multicast streams are considered broadcasting. This same argument could apply to multicast digital radio. Since these streams can be received with a standard HD radio without any subscription or access control, they are classified as broadcasting. Consequently, they would remain subject to the non-commercial requirements outlined in section 399B of the Communications Act.
FAQ Tag: hd radio
Is there any enhanced protection granted to full-power stations implementing hybrid HD Radio (IBOC) beyond the existing analog safeguards?
No, as long as the LPFM station complies with the minimum spacing and second-adjacent channel interference requirements outlined in §73.807, it satisfies the basic regulatory prerequisites.
What are the licensing fees that Xperi (formerly Ibiquity) charges for an LPFM station to implement HD Radio technology?
Xperi (formerly Ibiquity) offers a special licensing rate for noncommercial educational (NCE) broadcast stations, including full-service and LPFM stations. The licensing fee for NCE stations is $5,000. This fee can be paid in two ways: