Broadcasters continued to promote access to FM radio receivers in smartphones and applauded the major U.S. carriers – Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon – for unlocking FM capability in their Android phones. NAB has urged Apple to provide its iPhone customers with this feature, but the company has not yet done so. Devastating hurricanes that struck the Gulf Coast, Florida and Puerto Rico highlighted the need for radio-enabled mobile phones during times of crisis. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai joined NAB in calling on Apple to voluntarily activate radio chips in iPhones to promote public safety. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel also tweeted her support for activating FM radio in mobile phones.
To learn more about NAB's efforts to promote the benefits of FM radio in smartphones, click here.