Chile was the first country in South America to use frequency modulation (FM) for radio transmission. It was 1959 and the Radio Splendid of businessman Ricardo Bezanilla -founder of Radio Infinita- broadcast a program through 92.9 FM.
On the eve of this milestone, the Government approved on April 25 just past the modification to the general plan for the use of radioelectric spectrum that implies expanding the capacity in the industry, according to the indications of the Radiocommunication Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). .
According to the decree published in the Official Gazette on that date, radio stations will be able to use the 76 MHz to 88 MHz macroband, which was previously intended for TV channels. This gives space to a little more than 1,000 new concessions, which translates into a 50% expansion of these services.
“It is opportune to extend the FM sound broadcasting band in Chile, generating greater availability of receivers for the future, an issue that may be considered by national importers,” the document mentions.
This new step for the industry -according to the Government- was promoted by the Undersecretary of Telecommunications, Claudio Araya, as well as by the head of the Ministry of the General Secretariat of Government, Camila Vallejo. In the Executive, they explain that it was decided to open the space of the band before the enormous demand of the sector, above all, of the community radios.
