[BC] NAB Wants NRSC5 FCC adopted

[Ernie Belanger]

>From Radio Business Report

NAB pushes for IBOC standard, now

Marsha J. MacBride and Valerie Schulte of the National Association of 
Broadcasters were able to put the organization's thoughts on IBOC in a 
nutshell. "NAB urges the commission to adopt the NRSC-5 standard as the 
foundation of its technical rules for hybrid digital/analog radio operations 
in the US as expeditiously as possible. We further urge the Commission to 
complete swiftly its outstanding work on permanent authorization, final 
operational requirements, licensing and service rules changes for AM and FM 
digital audio broadcasting." NAB wants to bring a remaining uncertainty to 
an end as soon as possible. "Importantly, FCC action to finalize its rules 
and adopt a single technical standard will promote the continued roll-out of 
digital broadcasting by providing broadcasters, equipment manufacturers and 
consumers with the confidence that IBOC is the next generation of 
ubiquitous, free radio service." NRSC is the National Radio Systems 
Committee, a joint effort between the NAB and the Consumer Electronics 
Association. They back the iBiquity Digital Corporation's system. In 
conclusion, NAB wrote, "NAB believes that we are entering a new and exciting 
radio world, with free over-the-air radio broadcasters standing ready to 
meet the challenges of the digital age and serve their audiences with 
exciting digital sound and other services."