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Powerful members of the US House of Representatives have told FCC chairman that the satellite radio receivers of the future must include both HD Radio, internet connectivity, and iPods if the FCC does permit XM and Sirius to merge.
In a letter sent in May, House Commerce Committee chairman and Telecommunications Subcommittee chairman said they have taken no position on whether or not the FCC should approve the proposed merger between the companies, but that if the FCC does approve the merger, “We believe the public interest requires it to take concrete steps to protect consumers.”
They added that the FCC needs to ensure that “consumers have access to these devices", in particular HD digital radio, and that the satellite companies be banned from making any exclusive deals with device manufacturers.
The suggestions from the House leaders are similar to the ones made March 10 by Washington-based advocacy group Public Knowledge, which has backed the merger from the beginning but with certain provisions. The group also advocates that the FCC require the merged company to allocate certain channels to noncommercial programs and to give up control of 5% of its spectrum to another entity.
The NAB, who is a major supporter of HD radio and also provides HD radio reviews, has spent several millions of dollars lobbying against the merger since the proposal was announced on in February 2007, was not buying what seems like concessions.
NAB said that combined, an XM and Sirius monopoly would control more spectrum than is currently used by the entire FM radio broadcast business, so it is anti competitive. The NAB continues to agree with more than 80 members of Congress, 12 state attorneys generals, a variety of consumer groups, and many others who are on record opposing the monopoly merger of XM and Sirius."
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