CES: Sprint Agrees to Make Some Phones FM Radio Receivers

Will roll out capability over next three years

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/8/2013 5:34:27 PM

Complete Coverage: CES 2013

Sprint says it has come to "preliminary arrangement" with the radio industry to enable an FM radio chip in some Android and Windows smartphones.

Currently, radio stations can be streamed over phones, but this would allow the phones to receive over-the-air broadcasts, something broadcasters have been pushing for both radio and digital TV.

Sprint made the announcement in association with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.  

"FM radio could be delivered through the NextRadio tuner application or other radio apps or services," said Sprint in announcing the agreement. "This announcement marks the first time a U.S. wireless carrier would offer the ability to access local FM radio on a broad array of its devices."

"I commend Sprint and the radio industry for reaching an agreement to enable more mobile phones to receive FM broadcasts," said FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, who is in Las Vegas for CES. "The ability to receive FM broadcasts on mobile phones can give American consumers another way to access critical information during emergencies."

"This opportunity combines the strengths of the Sprint network with the impact of America's radio stations," said National Association of Broadcasters president Gordon Smith in a statement. "It is the type of business-to-business partnership that recognizes the unique strengths of the wireless networks and the radio industry and provides services that are so important to the American people."