Calling in-band, on-channel technology "a fantasy," Somar
Communications President Roy Robertson tells R&R ONLINE his wish for 2001 is for the U.S. to adopt the "Eureka 147" digital broadcasting technology that he says is "a worldwide standard the U.S. is fighting." He says the reason for the continued research into IBOC technology, intended to provide a method of broadcasting digital radio over existing analog signals, is that owners of higher-powered stations are against Eureka 147 because it would "level the playing field" by giving all radio stations the same power and output. Robertson says he understands why companies that paid "$20 million or $30 million for a station don't want Eureka 147," but contends that the FCC's guiding principle of serving the public interest "is the overriding concern." Robertson, whose company owns stations in small Maryland towns, compares carrying digital signals over analog channels to "building a water pipeline and expecting it to carry natural gas," and calls the idea of trying to fit digital broadcast in 1930s analog technology "insane." Robertson also hopes to see more deregulation from the FCC next year, saying the agency should "ease up on small markets and small owners" of 20 or fewer stations.