A coalition of entrepreneurs has made it possible to still surf the internet radio wave, one that Edison Media Research shows has consistently increased in popularity over the last decade.

Music licensing fee hikes imposed by the federal Copyright Royalty Board earlier this year initially signaled a death knell for all American internet radio stations, which were expected to start paying fees retroactive to January 2006 in addition to the new rates on July 15. This included popular, independent internet radio sites such as Pandora.com, as well as large companies like Yahoo!.

But SaveNetRadio , a united group of music entrepreneurs, kept the burgeoning industry from crashing into oblivion last week when congressional lobbying efforts finally resulted in a temporary compromise with the music industry. Though the developing negotiations may still result in decisions that render most stations extinct, the SaveNetRadio coalition will continue fighting for the mostly entrepreneurial industry.