The National Association of Broadcasters, National Public Radio, Infinity
Broadcasting on Tuesday encouraged the Federal Communications Commission to
authorize daytime operation of digital AM radio, known as AM in-band on-channel
(IBOC) radio, in its comments to the commission.
"Moving ahead to expeditiously introduce IBOC digital service in the AM band,
albeit for the interim as a daytime service, will offer a chance to revitalize
AM broadcasting," NAB said.
The commission is seeking comments on a report filed by the National Radio
Systems Committee -- a joint committee of NAB and the Consumer Electronics
Association -- that recommends the commission endorse daytime digital AM.
So far, IBOC AM does not work at night because it runs into something called
the "skywave," a near-vertical wave that is created when radio signals from 50
kilowatts AM clear-channel radio stations bounce off the stratosphere.
Although many commenters support approval of daytime IBOC AM, they also press
for resolution of digital AM's nighttime difficulties. Several individual
commenters opposed the adoption of IBOC AM altogether.
