Satellite radio firms keeping compatible receiver to themselves

[Newsjock]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060404.wsatradio0404/BNStory/Technology/home

GRANT ROBERTSON
From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

Since the inception of satellite radio, consumers have been forced to choose between two competing networks, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., depending on the kind of hardware they buy.

But new documents show the rival companies have designed a receiver capable of carrying both services — a development that could significantly alter the competitive landscape of the emerging industry.

However, despite spending more than $5-million (U.S.) on the project, XM and Sirius have no plans to let consumers in Canada or the U.S. get their hands on the devices.

Though the broadcast licences granted in the United States call for the development of compatible technology to give consumers more flexibility, a loophole only requires the companies to design the radios — they don't actually need to make or sell them. In Canada, the decision is being left up to the industry.

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[onehandle]

1. I would buy both services if they offered a dual receiver.

I have one service now, but am considering switching to the other.

I will Never listen to commercial radio again. I'd love to have Sirius and XM.

$26 bucks a month I'd hand over gladly.

[Scout1071]

2. $26 a month is too much for me, but I would pay $15 a month

for both. Not worth a penny more and even that is pushing it.

They've had this technology from early on. This just pisses me off.

[onehandle]

4. I agree that they should cut a deal for a dual service.

But it's unlikely at any price. Especially now that Sirius seems to be catching up in membership.

[womanofthehills]

3. I have both

My boyfriend bought me Sirius for my car and then when Air America went to XM I bought XM for my house. I keep thinking I'm going to drop Sirius because of the expense but I enjoy both and it was a really neat present.

[currents]

5. You know you should drop XM.

You can get AAR streaming over the internet. I would like to have both, but actually I have 2 Sirius Recievers so I pay $20 a month. I can't live without it!


But anyway, I think that a unit that works with both companies is pretty cool if it was built into every stock car radio that would be cool. It would probably be more bulky that a single type reciever. So it wouldn't be as good for portable units probably...

[Tesha]

8. Why would you expect that?

> It would probably be more bulky that a single type reciever.

Why would you expect that? It's mostly just a question
of supporting two types of encription, so a little more
computer firmware. The actual "radio" portion would be
essentially unchanged.

Tesha

[merwin]

6. "give consumers more flexibility" - Isn't that breaking the spirit of the

law by just designing and not actually producing or making the designs public?

[fasttense]

7. I would get either if they didn't charge near $200 for the equipment

then charge more money for the subscription. It is cheaper to stream the radio stations off the internet. If they bring their equipment prices down I might consider it.

[Longhorn]

9. You can get Sirius equipment for a lot less than $200.

We were at Radio Shack the other day looking for a replacement receiver and saw receivers with car kits for $80.

Also, they didn't have our receiver because it's an older model. We didn't want to upgrade to a newer model if we could avoid it because we also have a boombox that my husband uses in his shop and the new receivers aren't compatible. I checked out the Radio Shack website and they had the receiver for $50 with a $50 rebate! So we were able to replace our broken receiver for the cost of tax and shipping!