CTIA-The Wireless Association, made up of a number of mobile phone manufacturers, including Apple, HTC, Motorola, Nokia, RIM and Samsung, has sent a letter to the FCC asking that FM chips not be required in mobile devices.

In the letter to the FCC, the companies say they have "strong concern with any intervention in the innovation, design and features of wireless devices in the dynamic wireless ecosystem. This Commission is well aware of the United States’ lead in driving innovations in wireless devices, operating systems, applications, and networks. The Commission has wisely followed a light regulatory touch for wireless and now should decline the pleas by the National Association of Broadcasters to press for inclusion of FM chips beyond the numerous FM-enabled wireless devices already available in the U.S.

The companies note that their devices feature a wide variety of options, however, "No single wireless device must contain all the same features."

The letter adds that "Consumers already can choose among numerous FM-capable devices from national and regional carriers. The fact is, demand for FM-enabled handsets in the U.S. has been underwhelming. The market should drive feature decisions rather than a separate, self-interested industry."