Could a FM Tuner be Coming to Your cell Phone?

In September 2009 a number of Members of Congress wrote Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, asking the agencies to explore the potential benefits of including FM radio tuners in mobile phones. The move, the Members of Congress wrote, could give cell phone users access to radio's emergency alert system.

On March 18, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski responded saying that the FCC established a Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) by which participating wireless carriers may provide customers with emergency alerts and warnings via cell phones and other mobile devices. After reviewing public comments, the FCC, on April 9, 2008, adopted an order that concluded that it would "not require or prohibit the use of ALERT-FM . . . or similar systems as the basis of the CMAS." CMAS participants, then, are free to adopt FM-based technologies as they desire.