Should FM Radios be required in mobile phones?

GigaOm is reporting that the National Association of Broadcasters is proposing that the U.S. government require FM radios be included in all mobile phones. The proposal is part of a possible resolution to a dispute between radio broadcasters and the music industry over music royalties. The dispute has been over the music industry’s desire to have broadcasters, who only pay royalties to songwriters, to also pay royalties to record labels and performers.

Presumably, the leap to requiring FM radios in mobile phones is an attempt to remain relevant by having the radios in devices that everyone carries. Some mobile phones already have FM radios, mostly because the radio is incorporated into the design of the radio chips for receiving Wi-Fi and cellular communication. In some cases phones, like the Google Nexus One, have the ability to receive FM radio but the feature is not enabled in the phone software.

I personally think the proposal will only result in the raising of prices of mobile phones and won’t do anything to help radio stations. For example, my Zune HD can receive HD radio, but I never use that radio. My car has a nice FM radio, yet for the majority of the time I am listening to podcasts when I am driving to and from work. On long trips I connect my Zune to the car via the auxiliary audio input. Hopefully Congress will have the common sense to not require the mobile phone industry to subsidize what may be the dieing broadcast industry.

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