Thompson, DeFazio Push for FM Chips in Cellphones

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR)

In a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, House Homeland Security Committee ranking member Bennie Thompson (D-MS) (pictured far left) and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ranking member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) wrote about the critical importance of activated FM chips in mobile devices during times of emergency. In the letter, the Representatives urge Chairman Wheeler to do everything in his power to ensure every American has access to the FM chip in their mobile devices.

"As Members of Congress charged with ensuring that the public is prepared to take action when disaster strikes, we are convinced that early, effective, and informative alerts and warnings play an essential role in saving lives. Accordingly, we urge you to take every possible action to ensure that the public has every tool in the public alerts and warnings toolbox at its disposal, including access to FM radio through the activation of radio chips already built in to almost all smart phones," the letter said.

The two Representative continued, "Virtually all smartphones are manufactured with a radio chip capable of receiving over-the-air radio stations and ordinary earbuds are sufficient to serve as an antenna. Additionally, the required software to enable the radio chip to work is available. In fact, we understand that the software is currently deployed on the smartphones from one major carrier, and that has been received well by the nearly 10 million customers who now have access to the service. We are concerned that not every American smartphone owner has been afforded the same opportunity -- particularly given the important role emergency alerts and warnings play in public safety."

The letter concluded, "Radio is a proven lifeline in times of emergency, connecting consumers to the information they need to stay safe. During times of emergency, it is critically important that Americans have access to broadcast radio, which would provide instant emergency, lifesaving information on-the-go. For the benefit of the American public, ensuring all mobile devices are broadcast-radio capable is a critical component of this country's safety and homeland security. To this end, we are asking you to do everything in your power to make certain that every American consumer has access to the FM radio chip in their smartphones today."