RBDS can be used to transmit various types of data, such as data related to the transmitted radio program, including the name of the station or the name of the track or the artist. It can be used for many other purposes, particularly for hidden messages and signals.

RDS has been in use in Europe and Latin America since the early 1990s. An FM broadcast receiver equipped with RBDS capability is sometimes called a "smart radio." Data carried by RBDS includes:

• Alternative frequencies (AF)
• Clock time (CT)
• Enhanced other networks (EON)
• Program identification (PI)
• Program service (PS)
• Program type (PTY)
• Radio text (RT)
• Travel announcements (TA)
• Traffic program (TP)
• Traffic message channel (TMC)