FCC's Rosenworcel Endorses FM Chips On Smartphones

Jessica Rosenworcel

Efforts to equip mobile devices with radio receivers received a boost today from a high-ranking FCC official, according to InsideRadio.

Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel spoke favorably about radio-enabled mobile devices and their potential for disseminating information during emergencies during the FCC’s Open Commission Meeting.

“We can strengthen our security even further by having active FM chips in our smartphones,” Rosenworcel said as the Commission considered a rulemaking to improve the effectiveness of wireless emergency alerts. “There are market developments right now that are making these chips more available and we should encourage these industry discussions to continue."

AT&T and T-Mobile recently announced they would activate radio chips on their Android devices, while Sprint began the practice in 2013.

When the unthinkable occurs communications matters. The @FCC takes steps to update #WirelessEmergencyAlerts: https://t.co/PLKdfHmRyR

— Jessica Rosenworcel (@JRosenworcel) November 19, 2015

The NAB was quick to praise Rosenworcel for her endorsement. "NAB salutes Commissioner Rosenworcel for her comments,” executive VP Dennis Wharton said in a statement. “We look forward to voluntary activation of radio chips in all smartphones."