FM Radio Disabled

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FM radio chip deactivation refers to the practice of disabling functional FM radio receivers present in smartphone chipsets, forcing users to consume mobile data for radio content.

Overview

Most smartphone processors include FM radio capability as a standard feature. Manufacturers and carriers deliberately disable this functionality through software/firmware, citing various false reasons while profiting from data consumption or subscriptions to the manufacturer's music streaming services.

Technical Reality

Chips with FM Capability

• Qualcomm Snapdragon: All models since 2010
• Samsung Exynos: FM included in most
• MediaTek: Standard FM feature
• Broadcom WiFi/BT chips: Often include FM

How It Works

• FM receiver shares die space with Bluetooth/WiFi
• Headphone wire acts as antenna
• Power consumption: 10-30mW (vs 300mW for LTE streaming)
• Zero data usage

Deactivation Methods

Software Level

• Kernel drivers removed from OS
• HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) excluded
• API calls blocked in framework
• FM apps banned from app stores

Hardware Level

• Antenna pin not connected (saves $0.02)
• Power rail disconnected
• Firmware fuse blown
• Clock source omitted

Emergency Safety Issue

Emergency Alert System

• FM radio carries emergency broadcasts
• Works during network congestion
• Functions without cell towers
• Battery lasts days vs hours

Natural Disasters

• Hurricane Katrina: Cell networks down for weeks
• Japan Earthquake 2011: Only FM worked
• Texas Grid Failure 2021: No power for cell towers
• Hawaii False Missile Alert: Cell networks crashed

FCC Former Chairman Tom Wheeler (2016)

> "You have a FM receiver in your phone. It's an important safety feature. But carriers don't activate it because they make money on data streaming."

Financial Motivation

Data Consumption

• FM Radio: 0 MB/hour
• Streaming radio: 60-120 MB/hour
• Average listener: 2 hours/day
• Monthly data: 7.2 GB
• Revenue at $10/GB: $72/month

Carrier Profits

• Verizon 2023: $21 billion from overages
• AT&T 2023: $19 billion from data plans
• Correlation with FM disabling: Direct

Timeline of Suppression

Early Smartphones

• 2008-2012: Many Android phones had FM enabled
• 2013: Carriers begin requesting removal
• 2014: iPhone never enables despite chip support
• 2015: NextRadio campaigns for activation
• 2016: FCC encourages but doesn't mandate
• 2017: Some carriers briefly enable
• 2020: Wholesale abandonment

Manufacturer Excuses Debunked

"No antenna"

• Reality: Headphone wire perfect antenna
• Bluetooth headphones: Internal wires work
• Even without headphones: Reduced range but functional

"Poor user experience"

• Reality: 4 billion people use FM daily worldwide
• Audio quality excellent for voice/music
• No buffering or connection issues

"No consumer demand"

• Reality: Never given option to choose
• 2016 survey: 76% want FM radio
• NextRadio app: Millions downloaded where available

"Takes up space"

• Reality: Already in chip, zero extra space
• Software: ~2MB for FM app
• Compare: Facebook app 300MB+

Global Perspective

Countries with FM Enabled

• **India**: Mandated by government
• **China**: Standard feature
• **Japan**: Emergency requirement
• **South Korea**: Safety feature
• **Mexico**: Enabled by default

Only in USA/Canada

• FM disabled despite hardware
• "Market forces" cited
• Reality: Carrier collusion

Environmental Impact

Power Consumption

• FM Radio: 20mW
• 4G Streaming: 300-1000mW
• Battery life: 50x longer on FM
• Carbon footprint: 98% lower

Infrastructure Waste

• Cell towers for streaming: Thousands needed
• FM transmitter: One covers entire city
• Data centers: Massive power for streaming
• FM broadcast: Negligible comparison

Public Safety Campaigns

NextRadio Initiative (2015-2020)

• Exposed FM chip presence
• Lobbied carriers and manufacturers
• Limited success: Sprint enabled briefly
• Ultimately failed against industry pressure

FEMA Recommendations

• Includes FM radio in emergency kits
• Cannot recommend phone FM (disabled)
• Forced to suggest separate radio
• Redundant device requirement

Legal and Regulatory

FCC Position

• Acknowledges safety importance
• Refuses to mandate activation
• Claims "market will decide"
• Ignores market manipulation

Congressional Hearings

• 2017: Testimony on public safety
• Carrier lobbyists prevail
• No legislation passed
• Public interest ignored

International Regulations

• India: Mandatory FM in phones (2017)
• EU: Considering requirement
• Japan: De facto requirement

The Apple Exception

iPhone FM Capability

• Uses same Broadcom/Qualcomm chips
• FM circuitry present but disabled
• Not even connected in hardware
• Zero iPhones ever had FM enabled

Apple's Statement

> "iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models do not have FM radio chips in them"

• Fact Check: False - chips present, functionality disabled

Consumer Workarounds

Limited Options

• Separate FM radio device ($10-30)
• Select Android phones with FM (rare)
• Modified ROMs (warranty void)
• SDR dongles for enthusiasts

Apps That Don't Work

• "FM Radio" apps: Actually stream data
• NextRadio: Discontinued 2020
• Radio.com: Data streaming only
• TuneIn: Data streaming only

See Also

• Emergency Alert System
• Carrier Data Monopoly
• Public Safety vs Profit
• NextRadio Campaign
• Qualcomm Chipset Features

References

[1] FCC Chairman Wheeler Statement 2016 [2] NextRadio FM Chip Survey 2016 [3] FEMA Emergency Communications Guide [4] Qualcomm Technical Documentation [5] Hurricane Katrina Communications Failure Report

External Links

• Louis Rossmann: The FM Radio Conspiracy
• Free Radio on My Phone Campaign