HARMAN CONSUMER GROUP AND iBIQUITY DIGITAL PLAN TO BRING AM AND FM DIGITAL RADIO TO THE HOME MARKET BY 2003
Leading Audio Products Manufacturer and Digital Radio Technology Developer Agree on License Terms For IBOC Technology -
LAS VEGAS, NV - NAB2001 - (April 24, 2001) - iBiquity Digital Corporation, the leading developer of AM and FM digital broadcast technology, and the Harman Consumer Group, a leading audio products manufacturer, announced today at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas that the two companies have agreed on business terms to permit Harman to license iBiquity Digital's IBOC (In-Band On-Channel) AM and FM digital broadcast technology. Harman plans to incorporate iBiquity's technology into its new line of digital home receivers scheduled for launch under the Harman Kardon Brand in 2003.
"Since the early '50s, Harman has been both a pioneer and innovator in the development of quality audio products," said Tom McLoughlin, president, Harman Kardon. "We plan to once again lead the industry by offering consumers high quality IBOC technology in our digital receivers with all the exciting new services that radio broadcasters will provide."
"Harman Kardon is one of the most progressive and technologically innovative brands in the consumer electronics business," said Robert Struble, president and CEO, iBiquity Digital Corporation. "We are proud to be working with them to make digital receivers with IBOC AM and FM digital broadcast technology available to consumers in the near future."
Today, radio in the United States is broadcast using analog signals. iBiquity Digital's technology uses an IBOC approach to broadcasting, enabling radio broadcasters to transmit a digital signal capable of delivering digital quality audio as well as wireless data for a wide variety of consumer applications, including traffic and weather information. In the future, in-vehicle radios, home audio and potentially a host of consumer electronics devices, such as personal digital assistants and smart phones, will receive wireless data transmitted by digital AM and FM radio stations.
About Harman Consumer Group
The Harman Consumer Group (www.harman.com) is a division of Harman International Industries, Inc. (NYSE: "HAR"), a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-fidelity audio and video products for the consumer and professional markets. HCG is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of high-fidelity loudspeakers, audio, and video components for use in homes and automobiles. The Group's brands include JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Madrigal Imaging, Revel, Proceed, Audioaccess, and Lexicon.
About iBiquity Digital
iBiquity Digital (www.ibiquity.com) is a leading technology innovator working to develop and commercialize digital radio and audio compression technology solutions. Its AM and FM digital broadcast technology, iDAB™, will transform the terrestrial radio industry from being providers of audio-only analog to being providers of high quality digital audio and wireless data services. PAC™ is a highly customizable audio compression technology currently being incorporated into wireless solutions, such as XM Satellite Radio's service. iBiquity Digital was formed from the merger of Lucent Digital Radio and USA Digital Radio. The company is privately held with operations in Columbia, MD, Warren, NJ, and Detroit MI.
