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Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)

In-band On-channel ("IBOC") digital audio broadcasting ("DAB") provides for enhanced sound fidelity, improved reception, and new data services. IBOC is a method of transmitting near-CD quality audio signals to radio receivers along with new data services such as station, song and artist identification, stock and news information, as well as local traffic and weather bulletins. This technology allows broadcasters to use their current radio spectrum to transmit AM and FM analog signals simultaneously with new higher quality digital signals. These digital signals eliminate the static, hiss, pops, and fades associated with the current analog radio system. IBOC was designed to bring the benefits of digital audio broadcasting to analog radio while preventing interference to the host analog station and stations on the same channel and adjacent channels. IBOC technology makes use of the existing AM and FM bands (In-Band) by adding digital carriers to a radio station's analog signal, allowing broadcasters to transmit digitally on their existing channel assignments (On-Channel). IBOC technology will also allow for radios to be "backward and forward" compatible, allowing them to receive traditional analog broadcasts from stations that have yet to convert and digital broadcasts from stations that have converted. Current analog radios will continue to receive the analog portions of the broadcast

In the October 2002, the Commission issued the digital audio broadcasting Report and Order in which it adopted iBiquity’s In-band On-channel technology as the standard for DAB and adopted interim requirements for radio stations that wanted to go digital. In April 2004, the Commission issued the DAB Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“FNPRM”) and Notice of Inquiry (“NOI”) seeking comment on issues left unanswered in the Report and Order. Hundreds of comments and reply comments were received in response to the DAB FNPRM and NOI. The Commission plans to issue a Second Report and Order in 2005.
Related Documents:

4/29/04
Notice of Prohibited Presentations in the Matter of Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems and Their Impact on the Terrerstrial Radio Broadcast Service.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

4/20/04
Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems And Their Impact on the Terrestrial Radio Broadcast Service
2004 Order: Word | Acrobat
Powell Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat

4/15/04
FCC Explores Rules for Digital Audio Broadcasting.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Powell Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat

10/11/02
Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems and Their Impact on the Terrestrial Radio Broadcast Service.
Order(2002): Word | Acrobat
IBOC FM Transmission Specification: Word | Acrobat
IBOC AM Transmission Specification: Word | Acrobat

11/01/99
In the Matter of Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems and Their Impact on the Terrestrial Radio Broadcast Service.
NPRM: Word | Acrobat
News Release:
Word | Acrobat

Copies of FCC Documents
The Electronic Comment Filing System allows you to view other comments that have been filed in FCC Docket and Rulemaking proceedings. These documents will also be available electronically in MS Word 6.0 and higher, MS Excel 4.0 and higher, Word Perfect 5.1 and higher, ASCII Text, and Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF).

Official documents released by the FCC since March 1996 are posted on the Commission’s Web Site. To find a particular document, you can use the FCC Electronic Document Management System (EDOCS) to search the EDOCS database for documents posted on the Internet.

Copies of FCC documents are available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., CY-A257, Washington, D.C., 20554.

The complete text of documents may be purchased from the Commission’s copy contractor, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554. To request this document in accessible formats (computer diskettes, large print, audio recording, and Braille), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).

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