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Please unlock my FM Radio chip

RichGinNY

Hi,

Been a Verizon customer for over 10 years. Just bought a Samsung Note 5 & Learned that you block the use of the FM radio chip for simple radio station reception.

I'm requesting that you change your policy & make real FM radio available to us through our phones.

Thanks....

Rich

Comments

Tidbits

It's not that simple like those articles you've been reading making it sound like. It will not happen. Yes the radio is capable, but it is not hooked up like the way it is needed to work. It would require a hardware revision and FCC approval.

Momma23dogs

Neither Verizon or ATT have service that allows FM radio use. Even those with active chips (HTC phones) can't use them on Verizon.

Manufacturers that make Phones for Verizon dont include active FM chips and in many cases no FM chips at all.

THis is a hardware, not software issue.

MY understanding is the FCC has to approve FM radio use and Verizon doesn't have it. Att has applied, but has not been approved.

whyverizonwhy

So Tidbits, mamadogs- whose overhead would be increased by Verizon AND the phone manufacturers making sure that the phones that manufacturers produce for Verizon had workable FM radios. Verizon's overhead? Manufacturers'? Both?

The other 3 major carriers seem to be moving toward phones having the feature. Sprint I believe has some arrangement with the American broadcasting industry, though I don't know how that industry is involved exactly- maybe they absorbed some of the cost. AT&T recently said they will request manufacturers activate the chip, whatever that means.

Bottom line I'm wondering is what is the actual cost of it? If it's a hardware cost, then the manufacturers are either losing money, or charging more when selling phones to Sprint, T-Mobile, or AT&T that are FM enabled.

FCC approval? Couldn't the FCC require phones to have FM capability if the couple of house reps pushing for universal FM radio capability on cell phones get their way with FCC chairman, Tom Wheeler. So are there licensing costs from the FCC? Do the other 3 carriers pay them then? Are they different for each carrier?

Sorry for all the questions, but you guys, esp. Tidbits seem to be answering all of these threads regarding lack of FM radios in Verizon phones, so I figured you must have the answers!

Momma23dogs

I'm sure Tidbits can tell you more than I.

What the rumor is, is that manufacturers want to charge Verizon more to make the FM chip active. Since it can't be used, Verizon won't pay for it. I know some, or all HTC phones have FM chips active.

whyverizonwhy

Right OK, so does that mean the manufacturers are charging the other carriers to make the FM chip active? And if HTC phones have FM chips active, does that mean active on Verizon? I read a review of the new One Plus X that mentioned an activated FM chip too.

Tidbits

The other carriers are opting to pay for FM radios because that's what their customers want and also to not differentiate themselves from everyone else. Manufacturers charge the fees they will have to pay Qualcomm to allow them to use the radio and also the extra amount they have to pay the FCC for testing. Carriers tend to opt out because they feel they shouldn't pay for it. Sprint pays for it even though the software they use is free they never said anything about the hardware.

If the FCC regulated that it is a must and want people to buy on they have to subsidize the cost set by manufacturers or expect a small price increase for devices. 4 years ago the general population didn't like the fact a particular Verizon phone was $50 more expensive. Also notice how many unlocked and non branded phones don't have FM radios as well, or they have them and they are often more expensive than US versions of the same phone before VAT tax. I wholeheartedly believe FCC should regulate hardware, and software charges as foul play and force manufacturers to support their own devices like they do in Europe.

I don't mind having FM radio on phones as long as I don't have to pay for it. If it is for convenience and saving on data that's fine. I am a firm believer if you are going to claim it is for emergency use then you need to rethink why a $700+ phone is more reliable and than a $20 handcrank waterproof radio that every business and every home should have a few of with their emergency rations. Yes I used to live in Tornado Alley. I also used to live in California and dealt with quakes. I also survived multiple hurricanes in my lifetime. People are ill prepared if they have to rely on a multi hundred dollar item that gets wet will no longer work as a source of information. Wheeler is just doing this as a political move to get public backing so he can show himself as valuable. Remember elections are soon and it will decide who his next potential boss may be.

KreggFoote

I am another loyal Verizon customer and I am angry about the fact that my new Motorola Droid Turbo does not allow fm reception. My old phone could handle it just fine but I am under the impression that Verizon wants us to use our data allowance to listen to something that should be free.

Momma23dogs

IT is more complicated than that. Please read the thread.

Your last phone was not with Verizon or ATT an neither support FM radio in their devices. It's a trade off. You can get cell reception for calls, Internet etc. or fringe benefits like radio. Most of us buy smartphones for cellular service. I have a hand crank FM radio for emergencies only.

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