The Federal Communications Commission is scrutinizing a new broadcasting system that will give FM radio stations the ability to divide their coverage areas into geographic zones and “geo-target” their advertising and programming.
According to developer Geo-Bradcast Solutions, the ZoneCasting system uses GPS and mobile broadband technologies to divide the FM signal but avoid interference using a single-frequency network comprised of FM boosters. However, limiting interference between a main channel signal and booster can prove to be a challenge.
Geo-Broadcast Solutions has asked the FCC to modify its current rule that prohibits booster stations from originating programming and grant experimental authority to WRMF(FM), the company’s partner located in Palm Beach, Fla., for commercial testing of the concept early next year. According to Geo-Broadcast Solutions CEO Peter Handy, an application typically includes a half-dozen boosters to cover a zone of eight to 10 miles. The proposed WRMF project will include 22 FM boosters to “geo-target” a large portion of Broward County, Florida.
The broadcasting company hopes to use the project to prove that ZoneCasting will not cause excessive interference.
