While many in Blogville were on the BlogTrain in Denver the FCC had its Open Committee Meeting on Thursday (Oct 10) and ruled on several major issues of note this week.
The Nutshell: In essence we're talking a monopoly and not in the public's best interest. However can EchoStar's survive the long-term? This is a question worth asking.
Digital Radio is Approved for AM & FM (PDF): The Commission has stated: "After extensive tests, the National Radio Systems Committee endorsed the AM and FM IBOC systems developed by iBiquity, the sole remaining IBOC proponent. IBOC technology permits "hybrid" operations, the simultaneous transmission of analog and digital signals with a single AM and FM channel. The NRSC tests show that the iBiquity IBOC systems offer better audio quality, more robust signals, and the potential for new auxiliary services. According to system supporters, IBOC technology will provide near CD-quality sound on FM channels and FM quality on AM channels. Hybrid IBOC operations will have minimal impact on the present broadcast service." Here is the full report in PDF.
The Nutshell: AM & FM radio eat up a considerable portion of the broadcast spectrum of airwaves and we are running out of bandwidth. The FCC has been studying the potential of slicing up the spectrum for several years in order to find enough space for everything and everyone who wants a hunk. Even auctioning off portions. (Which is a subject of another debate.) The concept of Digital Radio Broadcasting is nothing new. One of the major reason the FCC picked the iBiquity system is a real hybrid. It allows you, the listeners to have the option to purchase either a new digital radio or keep the old ones. Good move, folks. The Commission learned from the DTV fiasco. No clear cut time-table for complete rollover has even been stated. There are supposed to be additional license fees on broadcasters moving toward digital. The Commission is only allowing AM to operate the digital package in the DAYTIME ONLY for a while, while FM is going to get to launch this 24/7. The quality of FM is supposed to be "near CD-quality." Rumor has it they are going to call it "HD Radio"and Kenwood is ready to roll out the first line of radios.
The interesting sidebar to all this is, if the RIAA was worried about Internet Radio so close to CD quality, what are they going to do about this? AND what will HD Radio do to the XM Radio and Sirius Radio? I venture to bet they are going to start selling "better programming" vs. quality of broadcast.
Doc gave the closing remarks to Digital ID World in Denver today. AKMA gives a thoughtful and objective point of view of Doc's presentation, while still looking for the answers to his questions. As usual none of the answers are clear cut. But it is true that big business wants to hold on at all costs and the internet technology wants something else. The major question Doc answered is: ...we are the web, and will not conform to the Hollywood model.
Remind me the next time I need an objective review of a talk or a speaker to ask AKMA to come.
Other coverage of Doc's-Talk comes from the usual posse including: David Weinberger, and Denise Howell, who gets points for the best blow-by-blow coverage of the talk!
The Omnibook hard drive is clunking. This is not good. I need to mirror off the drive today. What do I use? Ghost? or what??? Hit the COMMENTS link and let me know. Thanks in advance.
FCC Commission Meeting Rules on Major Issues
Doc Raps DIDW 
