What is the Best Type of Radio Technology: Terrestrial, Satellite or Internet?
It’s a new day in the state of radio. FM/AM radio (also known as “terrestrial radio”) has proven its longevity, but the internet and satellite have also grown rapidly in popularity over the past decade. So which one is best? And which one is most likely to be known as the standard of the 21st century?
FM/AM Radio (Terrestrial Radio)
One of the advantages of terrestrial (FM/AM) radio is the fact that it is so standardized. It is compatible with virtually all radios that have been purchased over the past half century or so. If you wish to use internet radio or satellite radio, you have to buy a specialized radio that is compatible with their technology. This is fine for those who believe the newer types of radio are worth the investment. For some, however (particularly those who do not wish to buy new radios), FM/AM is still more than fine.
Terrestrial radio has some disadvantages, both technologically and in terms of programming. Let’s have a look at the other two platforms and in the process discover why they are superior to FM/AM in various ways.
While terrestrial is what most people think of when they hear the term “listening to the radio,” that could change over the next decade when standardization of internet and satellite radio begins to peak. We could need a widespread intellectual overhaul of what we think of as “songs on the radio” before that can happen.
Satellite Radio
Many car stereos, home shelf systems and other devices have been equipped with satellite radio options. It is worth noting that, while it is commercial-free, satellite radio requires a monthly service plan in order to use it. This has kept many consumers away and has perpetuated the popularity of terrestrial.
Satellite radio uses satellites in orbit around the earth which means that the signal is usually available from wherever your radio may be, even when you travel. This makes satellite superior to terrestrial and internet radio which rely on the proximity of grounded towers to transmit their signals. However, once again, you must pay a premium for this and for many consumers it’s just not worth it just to have radio. After all, you can always listen to a CD or iPod if you are out of range of any good FM/AM stations or don’t have internet signal available in a certain area.
Satellite radio has a limited number of stations and thus the programming is only slightly better than that of FM/AM. Because it is still not as common as terrestrial and because it is a subscription based service, it has a wider variety of music, genres and fewer song repeats.
Internet Radio
Internet radio is arguably the best type of radio and has the greatest likelihood of becoming the standard for the 21st century radio. Most people would assume as much just based on the fact that the internet has entirely changed the world as we know it in so many other ways. Radio is poised to be no exception.
Broadband internet was previously not common except in the home. Now that 4G and faster data speeds are possible on mobile devices, it is sensible to consider the fact that internet radio could be the near future. It is only a matter of time and marketing before internet radio lives up to the predictions many experts have posited: that it will outshine satellite and terrestrial radio by the beginning of the next decade.
Internet radio is also superior to the other two platforms in terms of programming. Currently, there are stations all over the world which operate independently. Satellite and terrestrial and very corporate driven and thus have a very contrived sense of song selection and puppet-like radio hosts. With internet radio, there is virtually no limit to the types of music that can be enjoyed and there are hardly any repeats whatsoever on most stations.