WASHINGTON, DC/ARLINGTON, VA -- The National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC), co-sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, today released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on location-based services technologies for terrestrial radio data broadcasting that could form the basis for future NRSC standards and/or guidelines. The NRSC hopes to identify other new and innovative services using geo-location data that will benefit broadcasters and radio listeners alike.
"Local radio offers an ideal platform for the delivery of location-based services. This investigation by the NRSC will help to identify new opportunities for broadcasters to serve their communities and potential new sources of data broadcasting revenue," said Kevin Gage, executive vice president and CTO, NAB.
Digital radio technologies, specifically HD Radio™ in-band/on-channel digital radio, and the FM subcarrier-based Radio Data System (RDS), are already being used to disseminate traffic information which is one type of location-based service.
"Location-based services are increasingly popular and useful for consumers across many platforms, and through this RFP, this committee hopes to bring consumers more location-based options over radio broadcasts," said Dave Wilson, CEA director of Technology and Standards.
The RFP, Location-based Services Protocols for Broadcast Radio Transmission, is being released by the Digital Radio Broadcasting (DRB) Subcommittee, which is co-chaired by Andy Laird, vice president and chief technology officer, Journal Broadcast Group, and Mike Bergman, vice president of new digital technologies, Kenwood USA. It was developed by the subcommittee's Geo-coding Usage Task Group (GUTG), which is chaired by Mike Starling, vice president, CTO and executive director, NPR Labs.
The location-based
services RFP is available for download from the NRSC's
website. Additional information about the
NRSC, including information on becoming a member, is also available on
the website. Responses to the RFP are due by October 15, 2011.
About
NAB:
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association
for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests
in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education
and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities,
strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital
age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
About
CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association
promoting growth in the $190 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry.
More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including
legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education,
industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business
and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International
CES - The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested
into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org
and www.Innovation-Movement.com.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
• CEO Summit and Board Retreat
October 1-3, 2011, Stresa, Lake Maggiore, Italy
• CEA TechHome Mediterraneo 100 Summit
October 3-5, 2011, Stresa, Lake Maggiore, Italy
• Digital Hollywood Fall
October 17-20, 2011, Marina Del Ray, CA
• CEA Industry Forum
October 23-26, 2011, San Diego, CA
• CES New York Press Preview featuring CES Unveiled @ NY
November 8, 2011, New York, NY
• Future of Television East
November 18, 2011, New York, NY
• 2012 International CES
January 10-13, 2012, Las Vegas, NV
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