DOHA • The routine offerings of Qatar's FM channels may soon be facing competition as new players enter the FM broadcasting market. Mohamed Al Emadi, Qatar Radio and Television Corporation Technical Bureau Director, told reporters on the sidelines of the '3rd GCC Coordination meeting on FM Channels', yesterday, Qatar has submitted requests to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to set up 54 new FM channels to go with the existing 15 registered with the world body. He said: “Because of the limited FM spectrum, the ITU is expected to grant around 10 to 20 of Qatar's requests for additional channels for commercial use.” Earlier, Mahmood M Sayyar, Director of the GCC Telecommunications Bureau, said: “Although it would be for the Qatari authorities to say anything, I feel it will be happening soon.” A strong proponent of FM radio, Sayyar said it could not only just provide entertainment in the form of music as well as information through news, FM can provide public service announcements as well and keep motorists informed on traffic snarls among its many other possibilities. The meeting, largely technical, was first addressed by William Fagan, Executive Director of ictQATAR. He said: “The meeting is held to ensure clear signal and service on FM channels throughout the GCC. Broadcasting is an important part of our lives. The demand for radio is still there, even in the era of television.” The earlier two meetings were held in Muscat, the last, in January this year. The Pen

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