Resolution To Activate FM Radio In Smartphones Passed In Indiana Senate

New Legislation

The INDIANA State Senate has adopted Senate Resolution 28 “urging wireless carriers to activate the FM radio receivers in smartphones.” The Senate Resolution focused on the need for INDIANA residents to have direct access from their smartphones to the emergency information broadcasts of local radio stations.

The resolution outlines the consumer benefits of an activated FM radio in smartphones including radio’s accessibility during an emergency, light battery usage, and non-reliance on Internet data to function. Also noted was the fact that smartphones currently sold in the U.S. have this FM radio 'chip' already present and would require minimal effort to activate, allowing owners of these phones to listen to local FM radio stations throughout the U.S.

Backers of the FM chip point out that, "Major wireless carriers in the U.S. states have not taken steps to activate the FM chip in the smartphones they sell, and as they profit from the consumer data usage of streaming media, do not feel compelled to provide a free alternative. The current exception is SPRINT, which has provided FM radio access in new ANDROID devices sold since SEPTEMBER 2013."

Similar legislative actions are set to take place in other states.

Click here to read the text of SR28.

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