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More Lawmakers Push For Conditions On XM-Sirius Merger
WASHINGTON -- July 1, 2008: Reps. Betty McCollum, James Oberstar, Collin Peterson, Keith Ellison, and Timothy Walz, all Democrats representing Minnesota, have weighed in with their own proposed conditions for the merger of XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio.
In a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, the lawmakers say the 8 percent spectrum set-aside for minority, noncommercial, and emergency programming XM and Sirius have agreed to -- one of the concessions that led Martin to give his conditional backing to the merger -- could result "in fewer noncommercial channels for satellite radio customers than they currently enjoy."
The letter asks that the FCC set aside 25 percent of the total satellite spectrum for noncommercial, minority,and emergency services, with the lawmakers citing FCC precedent in setting aside 20 percent of the FM band for noncommercial educational use.
The lawmakers would also like HD Radio technology included in all new satellite receivers. They write, "This would encourage competition in the digital terrestrial market and would leverage the millions of federal dollars already invested in the conversion of noncommercial stations to HD Radio technology."
Unconditional approval of the XM-Sirius merger would, the lawmakers say, create a "national satellite radio monopoly" to the "detriment of the public interest.'" They write, "Surely the price of granting a monopoly includes a certainty of independent thought and diverse opinions."
The letter concludes, "The principle of open dialogue in our free society requires no less than a significant portion of satellite radio be set aside for independent views."
The Representatives' letter follows a similar letter to Martin from three Senators, , asking for an HD Radio requirement, and that 20 to 50 percent of a combined satcaster's spectrum be leased to minority and other programmers.
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