Nearly 70% of Consumers Want HD Radioâ„¢ Technology in Their Mobile Phones, Survey Finds
Las Vegas, Nev., International CTIA WIRELESS 2010, March 23, 2010 – iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of digital HD Radio Technology for AM and FM audio and data broadcasting, unveiled the results of a recent comScore, Inc. study that validates consumer demand and willingness to pay a premium for HD Radio Technology as a handset feature.
- 68% of consumers surveyed are “interested” or “extremely interested” in mobile phones that include HD Radio Technology.
- 75% of those who own a mobile phone would listen to HD Radio broadcasts via their mobile phone.
- $42 is the value premium consumers attribute to HD Radio Technology in mobile phones.
comScore, the technology research leader, validates the mobile market potential for HD Radio Technology, which entered the arena in November 2009 with an iPhone accessory and application from RadioShack’s Gigaware brand.
“This important research underscores the high consumer demand for HD Radio Technology in mobile devices,” said Bob Struble, President and CEO of iBiquity Digital. “As consumers quickly form new habits around technology that brings content to them whenever and wherever they are, leaders of the radio broadcasting and manufacturing industries are coming together to make radio in mobile phones a reality.”
HD Radio Technology provides a high value offering to carriers. Its content and applications increase persistency and average revenues per user (ARPU), and reduces high cost, low revenue network usage patterns. The technology can deliver mobile audio to an infinite number of users within a radio station’s coverage area, freeing up valuable network capacity for higher value uses. This is the ultimate efficiency of a one-to-many broadcast architecture.
Struble added, “With social media and other bandwidth intensive applications proliferating over mobile phones, the strain on the mobile network is enormous, causing slower download rates and a frustrating consumer experience. Adding HD Radio Technology into mobile handsets helps reduce the usage overload on the network, which enables consumers to do more – faster – with their mobile devices.”
HD Radio Technology will also drive new revenue streams and business opportunities for carriers and radio broadcasters. Through synchronized audio billboards, marketing tools like Info Plus that link directly to specific information about products and services and closed–loop e-commerce, the HD Radio channel can support banner ads; call-to-action phone numbers and URLs; enhanced audio advertising; promotional e-mails, short message services (SMS); and coupons.
The digital broadcast platform has become synonymous with clarity, choice and interactivity. Today, there are over 2,000 FM/AM radio stations in the U.S. broadcasting with HD Radio Technology, more than 1,100 of which are airing FM HD2/HD3 channels. The HD2/HD3 channels offer an immense selection of local, compelling programming for radio enthusiasts. HD Radio Technology also enables advanced interactive features such as iTunes® /Music Tagging, Program Service Data and other marketing services.
About iBiquity Digital Corporation
iBiquity Digital Corporation is the developer of HD Radio™ Technology, which is fueling the digital radio revolution in the United States and around the world. The digital technology enables broadcasters to offer new FM channels, called HD2/HD3s, with crystal-clear sound and data services on both the AM and FM bands – all free, with no subscription fee. Leading broadcasters, consumer electronics manufacturers, automakers and retailers are committed to HD Radio technology. iBiquity Digital is a privately held company with operations in Columbia, MD, Auburn Hills, MI, and Basking Ridge, NJ. For more information, please visit http://www.hdradio.com and http://www.ibiquity.com.
About comScore, Inc.
comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) is a global leader in measuring the digital world and preferred source of digital marketing intelligence. For more information, please visit www.comscore.com/companyinfo.
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For additional information, please contact:
Scott Cianciulli / Nancy Zakhary
Brainerd Communicators, Inc.
212-986-6667
cianciulli@braincomm.com / nancy@braincomm.com
Note: “HD Radio™” and the HD Radio logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The “HD” in HD Radio™ is part of iBiquity Digital’s brand name for its advanced digital AM/FM system. It does not mean hybrid digital or high-definition digital; both of these are incorrect.
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