amradioiii said:
Technologically it can be done, however if terrestrial stations simply streamed their content and promoted that stream in conjunction with cell companies and ISPs they would do just as well. If a listener likes your content, they will seek you out if you are available to them on the platforms they either A, already use, or B, a platform readily available to them. C, listeners will hang aluminum foil out a window as an antenna if your content is really good. Hey Jeff, how about this, provide some content that is unique, original, fresh, make it available on a variety of platforms, and promote it, you will do just fine. PS, The Sales people need to learn how to sell it, otherwise it won't last.
You make some good points on content. However I think you are missing Smulyan's point. The Emergency Alert System broadcast via terrestrial stations works. It doesn't require bandwidth or reverse 911 technology. It only warns people covered in the area of the signal. What would happen is a cell phone would constantly monitor the FM band for the EAS, and set off some sort of alarm when one was received. Everyone has a cell phone basically, and they are on most of the time. The result would be an effective geographically viable alert system for emergencies.
This is all related to the WARN Act of 2006
The secondary benefit is....it gets radio recievers into cell phones...so cell phone owners could listen for free vs. having to pay for an additional service from the cell phone provider if you don't want to.
I like my Blackberry with the mp3 player better than my old one that didn't have one...it was a hassle carrying two devices plus a radio. Having it all in one would be good.
Why are you guys complaining about this anyway? It's good for the industry if it happens.
Here is some more on the WARN act:
http://tap.gallaudet.edu/Presentations/Harkins-TDI2007_files/textmostly/slide10.html
Arlington, Va. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) applauds Congress for passing the Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN) Act as part of the larger port security bill, the Safe Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 (SAFE Act). The WARN Act will establish a voluntary, national emergency alert system and will allocate $106 million for these purposes, as authorized by the reconciliation bill passed earlier this year.
"This legislation is critical to ensuring the timely creation of the state-of-the-art emergency alert system envisioned in President Bush's July 26, 2006 Executive Order on Public Alert and Warning Systems. It will enable an effective, reliable, integrated, flexible and comprehensive system to alert and warn the American people in situations of war, terrorist attack, natural disaster or other hazards to public safety and well-being," stated TIA President Matthew J. Flanigan.
"With our member companies designing, producing and deploying equipment that enables interoperable communications by our nation's first responders and other public safety agencies, TIA has a vested interest in this legislation."
TIA believes the American public must have the secure delivery of coordinated messages through as many communications pathways as practicable. The WARN Act will facilitate this important national security priority. TIA thanks Congress for its efforts in passing this legislation and urges President Bush to take swift action to sign this bill.
