LG has announced a partnership with NextRadio to activate FM chips in its phones to provide access to local FM radio stations on future handsets throughout all of North and Latin America. Subject to agreements with mobile operators, LG also will preload NextRadio on a number of models. The collaboration will allow LG users to listen and experience live, local radio on their smartphones in a brand new way and provide access to audio emergency alerts even if mobile coverage becomes congested or unavailable, said the partners.
The announcement comes after FCC chairman Ajit Pai earlier this year lent his support to activating FM radios on smartphones since the "vast majority" of smartphones sold in the US contain FM chips that aren’t activated. Mexico’s communications regulator IFT subsequently introduced a legal provision requiring manufacturers to activate the FM radio chip in smartphone with a view to “preserving the right to access information”.
Users have long been able to download apps to listen to stations, but LG said raw FM radio access uses 3 times less battery than streaming services and 20 times less data.
