IBiquity
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Digital radio technology |
| Predecessor | USA Digital Radio, Lucent Digital Radio |
| Fate | Acquired by DTS |
| Headquarters | Columbia, Maryland , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada, Mexico, Philippines, China, Germany, Switzerland (trial) |
| Products | HD Radio technology (IBOC system) |
iBiquity Digital Corporation emerged from the consolidation of USA Digital Radio and Lucent Digital Radio. The company maintained its main office in Columbia, Maryland and operated additional locations in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Los Angeles, California, and Auburn Hills, Michigan. As a privately owned intellectual property firm, iBiquity was supported by investors spanning the technology, broadcasting, manufacturing, media, and financial industries.
About
The IBOC system functions on both AM band and FM band frequencies, offering digital-only or combined digital and analog broadcast modes. This technology enables broadcasters to divide their digital capacity to provide multiple audio channels (such as HD2 and HD3 multicast streams) alongside visual information including song details, traffic updates, and weather forecasts. Approximately 2,000 radio stations across the United States utilize this platform. Marketed under the brand name HD Radio, it represents the sole digital broadcasting technology for AM and FM approved by the Federal Communications Commission in the U.S. Its capability to transmit digital sound while utilizing existing analog frequencies has encouraged commercial deployment in countries like Canada, Mexico, and the Philippines. Trials are underway in regions including China, Germany, and Switzerland. iBiquity clarifies that the "HD" in "HD Radio" is a trademark without an explicit definition.
On September 2, 2015, iBiquity revealed its purchase by DTS for $172 million USD, combining HD Radio technology with DTS's surround sound solutions for theaters.