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Old December 20th 08, 05:44 PM posted to rec.radio.shortwave
[email protected] jimwilhelm@labs.net is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Dec 2008
Posts: 76
Default Eduardo - Serious Question For You

On Dec 20, 12:27 pm, dxAce wrote:
wrote:
On Dec 20, 11:35 am, "David Eduardo" wrote:
wrote in message


...


Eduardo - Serious question.


Not to put you on the spot but in your estimation how successful of a
year was it for iBiquitys HD radio?


The unavailability radios, the low number of stations converting, the
dwindling dollars available, zero consumer interest and ethical
problems at the FCC - Not much to report. 2009 looks bleak also.
Where do you think it's headed?


IBiquity could spin the facts in previous years but it's going to be
tough this year. Even if low power radios become available in 2009
(and they don't require huge external antennas to work) the window is
closing fast.


What would be the incentive for stations to convert or continue to pay
fees to iBiquity in 2009?


Most of the early adopter stations pay no fees or a very, very tiny fee. So
that's not an issue. Getting more stations is not an issue, either... 90% of
the US population is already covered. This is pretty much a major market
issue.


The only issue is getting receivers out. That is a marketing issue, and one
that depends on cheap, portable chipsets. In a recession, I don't see that
happening fast. But I don't see WiMax happening fast, either, so there is a
wider window.


As to AM, the band is dying. The major format, news / talk is moving to FM
and what will be left will be drek. HD on AM at that point becomes
irrelevant.


Thanks but -


If I understand, you seem to think this was a successful year and the
HD radio "deployment" is on track? Do you think iBiquity investors
will ever want to see a return on their investment? Are broadcasters
pleased with consumer response to HD radio? Is HD radio making any
money or is it still sustained by investor dollars? Doesn't it all
come down to paying the bills? Will HD radio have enough time to wait
on consumers and receiver technology to catch up?


There still seems to be many serious issues about the whole thing. Not
to mention the fact that the FCC might have crossed the line
concerning its relationship to iBiquity.


To me - these are legitimate questions and I'm not convinced you
fully answered the question.


Do you think he fed you a line of BS?


What do you think?