Open-device concessions that XM and Sirius have proposed to the F...
Open-device concessions that XM and Sirius have proposed to the FCC in seeking approval of their merger “will not prevent a merged satellite company from acting in an anti-competitive manner,” iBiquity Digital CEO Bob Struble told us in an…
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e-mail Friday. IBiquity wants the FCC to mandate HD Radio reception in all satellite radio receivers with AM/FM tuners to level the playing field between satellite and terrestrial digital radio. The XM-Sirius proposal “does not eliminate existing exclusivity arrangements that XM and Sirius currently have with virtually every auto manufacturer today,” Struble said. Nor does it “address many of the technical issues that would bar the inclusion of HD Radio technology in devices and would create numerous financial relationships the merged company could use to block competition,” he said. “In short, unless the FCC addresses these issues, competition and the public interest will suffer.” As for Pioneer’s opposing iBiquity’s call for HD Radio mandates in XM-Sirius receivers, Struble said: “Pioneer is a long-time and valued partner. We understand their position.”