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 SEPARATE  STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  MICHAEL  J.  COPPS 
 Re:  In  the  Matter  of  Digital  Audio  Broadcasting  Systems  and  Their  Impact  on  the  Terrestrial  Radio  Broadcast  Service,  MM  Docket  No.  99-  325 
 I  am  very  pleased  to  support  this  item,  which  selects  in-  band,  on-  channel  (“  IBOC”)  as  the  technology  to  advance  audio  broadcasting  into  the  digital  future. 
 Digital  radio  presents  a  tremendous  opportunity  for  terrestrial  radio  broadcasters  to  compete  with  new  technologies.  It  holds  forth  the  promise  of  better  quality  sound  –  CD 
 quality  for  FM,  and  FM  quality  for  AM  –  which  will  enhance  audio  service  generally  and  may  well  reanimate  AM  radio.  But  that’s  just  for  starters.  Going  beyond  sound  quality 
 there  will  be  multiple  broadcaster  opportunities  in  the  provision  of  new  auxiliary  services,  such  as  multiple  audio  programming  channels,  audio-  on-  demand  services,  and 
 interactive  features,  too.  All  these,  and  perhaps  more,  will,  I  believe,  enhance  audio  broadcasting  measurably  and  in  the  process  advance  the  public  interest. 


 I  want  to  congratulate  industry  for  putting  aside  traditional  competitive  rivalries  and  working  together  toward  the  common  goal  of  bringing  the  benefits  of  digital  audio 
 technology  to  the  American  people.  It’s  a  splendid  example  of  private  sector  partnering,  but  it  went  even  beyond  that  to  include  close  cooperation  and  partnering  with  the  public 
 sector,  too.  The  FCC  also  played  a  role  here,  and  my  hat  is  off  to  our  Commission  team  members  who  put  their  shoulders  to  this  task.  To  my  mind,  that’s  what  makes  this 
 system  of  ours  work  best,  with  everyone  working  toward  a  common  goal  and  the  common  good.  It’s  a  great  model,  and  I  would  recommend  it  heartily  for  full  application 
 in  other  challenging  areas,  such  as,  for  one  example,  the  transition  to  digital  television.  I  hope  all  the  parties  involved  there  will  take  note  and  follow  suit.  As  I’ve  said  before,  I  am 
 a  believer,  a  true  believer,  in  this  kind  of  cooperative  endeavor.  In  the  competitive  global  economy  we  all  inhabit,  we  work  far  more  effectively  when  we  work  together. 


 A  few  questions  remain  to  be  settled,  including  how  the  IBOC  system  will  function  in  the  real  world;  what  is  the  potential  for  and  extent  of  interference  that  IBOC 
 could  cause  to  existing  services;  and  the  technical  feasibility  of  nighttime  AM  IBOC  transmissions.  I  believe  the  procedures  put  in  place  through  this  Order  for  resolving  any 
 interference  issues  that  arise  once  interim  transmissions  begin  are  reasonable  and  effective  and  will  enable  the  industry  to  address  adequately  and  efficiently  any  and  all 
 such  problems. 
 I  look  forward  to  the  commencement  of  interim  IBOC  operations  and  to  continuing  to  work  with  the  industry  to  develop  and  finalize  digital  audio  broadcasting 
 standards.  In  Seattle,  at  the  recent  Radio  Show,  I  saw  first-  hand  some  of  the  technology  and  equipment  that  will  soon  be  available  to  bring  digital  radio  to  all  of  us.  It’s  truly 
 exciting. 
 Finally,  my  thanks  to  the  Bureau  for  the  hard  work  and  dedication  that  went  into  making  this  happen. 
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