Equipping Mobile Phones with Broadcast Radio Capability for Emergency Preparedness

Issue
NAB continues to work with the wireless industry, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Congress to promote the inclusion and activation of radio receivers in mobile devices. For little cost, manufacturers can include a receiver for broadcast radio in mobile phones, giving consumers a convenient new way to access free radio service and improving public safety by ensuring that broadcasters' Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages and critical information reach the widest possible audience.

History
Since the 1950s, broadcasters have been the backbone of the public warning system and remain so today. In addition to providing EAS messages, broadcasters often provide wall-to-wall coverage during emergencies, sharing valuable information on storm paths, evacuation routes and other critical information. The next generation of public alerting was envisioned in the post 9/11 world as integrating other technologies or platforms to reach Americans that may be on the move when a major incident occurs. Broadcasters fully support this goal, which would be furthered by including and activating radio receivers in mobile devices.

NAB continues to discuss the benefits of phones with built-in broadcast radio with congressional and FCC staff, and have participated in several staff-level briefings on the Hill and at the Commission to move the issue forward. During a recent Senate Homeland Security Committee staff briefing, NAB staff explained that having radio receivers in mobile phones would be a critical addition to the cellular industry's Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS), as it would provide Americans with convenient access to both emergency warnings and the comprehensive emergency information that broadcasters provide.

The briefing provided Senate staffers the opportunity to gather information on the public safety aspects of having an activated radio receiver in mobile devices. The discussion focused primarily on public alerting, the relationship between homeland security and radio-enabled mobile phones, and the public safety benefits of having a mobile device with built-in broadcast radio.

In June, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, held a hearing entitled "The Future of Audio." The hearing discussed the public interest benefits of radio-enabled mobile devices and the challenges that consumers face in trying to identify devices that are equipped to receive radio.

That same month, at the start of the 2012 hurricane season, several members of the U.S. House of Representatives spoke on the House floor, recognizing the value of free over-the-air broadcasting in providing early warnings and disaster relief to American communities affected by severe weather and other emergencies. Some members also addressed the importance of equipping mobile devices with broadcast radio receivers to give Americans convenient and reliable access to lifeline services in times of crisis.

In response to requests from several members of Congress, the FCC hosted a roundtable discussion on July 20 with radio broadcasters, wireless carriers and mobile phone manufacturers to explore the availability, advantages and disadvantages of equipping mobile devices with radio.

Additionally, report language was included in the FY 2013 House Homeland Security Appropriations bill that asks the FCC, Department of Homeland Security and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to explore the benefits of using broadcast radio receivers in mobile devices.

NAB continues to expand its research efforts concerning consumer interest and the availability of activated radio receivers in mobile devices.

NAB Position
Radio-enabled mobile phones offer many benefits to consumers, especially in times of crisis. Unlike the text-based commercial mobile alert system (CMAS) being deployed by the wireless industry, broadcast radio can work even when cell networks go down. There is no risk that radio receivers in mobile phones will clog up the existing switched wireless networks and impede the delivery of important emergency information.

Broadcasters have been the primary source for emergency information for six decades. For the benefit of the American public, ensuring all mobile devices are broadcast radio ready should be a critical component of any next-generation wireless alerting solution.

Action Needed
To enhance public safety, Congress, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the FCC and the mobile phone industry should consider ways to expand the availability of broadcast radio service in mobile phones and to improve consumers' access to information about radio-enabled mobile devices.