| Radio is probably one of the most popular free | | | | cheap and you get large coverage areas, this type of |
| services. We can listen to it just everywhere. At home, | | | | broadcasting is not suitable for general reception. |
| at work, in the bus, in the car, while we walk, etc. With | | | | Satellites do offer a huge choice of stations, but the |
| the term "radio" we usually mean a sound service that | | | | receiving equipment is pretty complex. |
| we can receive and is usually free, without any | | | | Therefore, terrestrial broadcasting is the most popular |
| subscription or expensive equipment. With radio you | | | | platform for radio. While AM broadcasting is still used in |
| also get free music. You can listen to it while working | | | | some countries, mainly for international broadcasting, it |
| or you can relax and enjoy listening to your favorite | | | | is the FM radio that we can find it on every corner. |
| band. There are many ways to get such free sound | | | | There are many reasons for its popularity. It is free, |
| service. Each has some advantages and | | | | you only need a simple and cheap receiver. Receivers |
| disadvantages but the fact is that the old FM radio as | | | | are now integrated also into mobile phones, MP3 |
| we know it is far the most widely used broadcasting | | | | players and many other devices. The quality of FM |
| service. | | | | (frequency modulation) is very high. With quality stereo |
| You can listen to radio stations that are broadcasting | | | | reception and some high-end receiver you get superb |
| over internet. This service is still free, but you need | | | | sound quality comparable to vinyl records. |
| access to the internet and a computer. There are also | | | | Because of many advantages of terrestrial |
| some devices (network players) that support internet | | | | broadcasting there are many stations interested in |
| broadcasting, but you still need access to the internet, | | | | using this media. Of course, the radio-frequency |
| either wireless (WiFi) or over local network. The | | | | spectrum is a limited resource and only a small fraction |
| advantage of internet broadcasting is that there are | | | | of the whole spectrum is allocated to broadcasting. |
| thousands of stations so it easy, at least in theory, to | | | | Therefore, we can fit only a limited number of stations |
| find a station that plays music according to your taste. | | | | into this band. In addition to this, to prevent harmful |
| Cable and IPTV systems also offer radio stations but | | | | interferences there are many strict rules on frequency |
| this is limited to the place where you have the | | | | planning which further limit the number of possible radio |
| connection. | | | | stations that we can receive. |
| Satellites also offer a lot of radio stations. But to | | | | But despite all the disadvantages and limitations the FM |
| receive satellite stations you need a satellite receiver, | | | | radio will be used for many years to come. |
| so this type of reception is only suitable for home | | | | Interestingly, there is still no comparable digital |
| listening. There are also mobile satellite radio services, | | | | broadcasting system that could replace the old analog |
| but in general they are not free. You have to pay a | | | | radio. |
| subscription. Despite the fact that satellite services are | | | | |