Late last Friday, the Federal Communications Commission approved Sirius Satellite Radio’s buy-out of former competitor XM Satellite Radio after the companies agreed to pay $19.7 million to the U.S. Treasury to settle the issue of past violations of FCC rules that resulted in interference to FM terrestrial radio broadcasts. As a condition of FCC approval the newly merged Sirius XM Radio, Inc. will bring into compliance or shut down FM radio receivers and terrestrial repeaters that have caused interference problems. Other conditions included a three-year cap on prices, an eight percent programming set aside for minority and non-commercial broadcasts, and an agreement to bring interoperable radios to the market within one year. The official announcement can be viewed on the FCC website. Valuable links to FCC Rules can be found on the Tech Briefs section of “Resources” on the new Interference Technology website. Check it out now.
The Price Tag for a Merger: $19.7 Million for Past Interference, Plus Other Stipulations
