STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE
Re:  Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems and Their Impact on the Terrestrial 
Radio Broadcast Service (MM Docket No. 99-325)
Today, the Commission adopts rules and policies to facilitate and encourage an 
orderly transition of the nation’s radio stations to digital audio broadcasting, which holds 
the promise of better reception, better sound quality, and, most importantly, more varied
programming that better promotes localism and diversity. I am pleased that, in doing so, 
we allow the market to determine the pace of the transition and the stations to determine 
how to use their digital bandwidth.  The flexibility to offer multicast programming of all 
kinds, develop varied datacasting applications, and enter into time brokerage agreements 
for digital bandwidth will unleash the creativity of the market and, hopefully, provide 
opportunities to new entrants, resulting in improved radio service for all Americans.  I 
look forward to witnessing the many innovative ways that radio will use these new 
technical capabilities to serve the local public interest.