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 SEPARATE  STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  JONATHAN  S.  ADELSTEIN 
 Re:  Digital  Audio  Broadcasting  Systems  and  Their  Impact  on  the  Terrestrial  Radio  Broadcast  Service,  Further  Notice  of  Proposed  Rulemaking  and  Notice  of 
 Inquiry 


 Today,  we  begin  the  important  process  of  ensuring  that  our  rules  are  ready  for  tomorrow’s  digital  radio.  Digital  radio  is  the  natural  evolution  of  radio,  bringing  CD  quality  sound  to  FM 
 and  FM  quality  to  AM.  It  promises  many  new  service  offerings  to  eager  listeners.  In  January,  I  was  honored  to  participate  in  the  first  commercial  launch  of  HD  Radio  here  in  Washington,  D.  C. 
 at  Howard  University’s  WHUR-  FM.  We  literally  flipped  the  switch  on  digital  radio,  and  it  was  a  major  hit. 


 Digital  radio  is  an  opportunity  for  broadcasters  to  build  on  their  spectrum  to  serve  the  public  even  better.  It’s  a  clear  example  of  doing  more  with  the  same  spectrum.  Broadcasters  can  now 
 offer  consumers  more  programming  services  including  non-  English  language  programming,  on-demand  interactive  experiences,  enhanced  auxiliary  services,  and  new  data  services  including 
 local  traffic  and  weather,  song  and  artist  information,  even  sports  scores  and  local  news.  Through  NPR’s  leadership,  the  technology  offers  the  possibility  of  transmitting  more  than  one 
 programming  stream  through  supplemental  audio  channels. 
 I  look  forward  to  developing  a  full  record  on  how  broadcasters  can  use  this  opportunity  to  better  serve  their  local  communities.  I  welcome  our  examination  of  rule  changes  needed  to 
 ensure  that  broadcasters  are  meeting  their  public  interest  obligations  in  this  new  digital  age,  particularly  with  respect  to  supplemental  audio  channel  capability.  With  this  capability,  a 
 broadcaster  could  use  each  stream  to  enhance  a  local  community’s  listening  experience  with  local  programming,  including  local  civic  and  political  discourse.  These  new  horizons  in  radio 
 broadcasting  should  correspond  to  new  horizons  in  serving  the  public  interest. 
 I  am  particularly  pleased  that  we  are  seeking  comment  on  how  this  technology  can  further  our  diversity  goals  and  provide  greater  access  for  minorities,  people  with  disabilities,  or 
 underserved  segments  of  our  local  communities.  I  appreciate  the  willingness  of  my  colleagues  to  seek  comment  on  how  digital  radio  can  enhance  political  discourse  and  candidate  access  to  the 
 radio.  We  also  appropriately  ask  about  ways  to  enhance  the  broadcast  of  emergency  information  and  generally  how  digital  technology  can  enable  a  broadcaster  to  better  respond  to  the  needs  of 
 the  community.  Of  course,  there  is  much  more  we  need  to  do  to  advance  the  public  interest,  but  this  is  a  good  start. 


 The  development  of  digital  radio  has  been  a  careful  and  methodical  exercise  by  iBiquity  and  others,  with  widespread  industry  participation  and  extensive  testing  to  tackle  problems  as  they 
 arise.  The  Commission  now  must  step  up  and  do  its  part  to  ensure  that  this  significant  advancement  in  radio  broadcasting  fully  advances  the  public  interest  in  broadcasting. 
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