FCC Approves Satellite Radio Plan
source: washtech.com

XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and rival Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. received conditional approval yesterday to use land-based transmitters to augment their planned nationwide radio service. The companies needed FCC approval to use high-powered radio transmitters, known as repeaters, to send their signals to hard-to-reach spots, including under bridges or in cities where tall buildings may block transmissions. The FCC approved the use of the radio transmitters under the condition that XM and Sirius cease operations if they interfered with wireless communications services. Acknowledging that the transmitters could cause interference, the FCC said the issue would be addressed further during the final approval process. In the approval, the agency said the transmission towers are in the public interest and "will offer high quality radio signals."

Editor's Note: but providing access to those same devices (low power transmitters/repeaters) for Low Power FM apparently isn't enough of a public interest?

posted on September 18, 2001 02:22 PM