Re: [IRCA] Requiring HD in Sat Receivers

["Saul Chernos" <sauldx@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Is this a signof desperation on iBiquity's part. Hopefully the court will 
learn something other than the wild success IBOC has enjoyed...


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tim Kridel" <tim@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "'Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America'" 
<irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 9:04 AM
Subject: [IRCA] Requiring HD in Sat Receivers


> From: SkyREPORT [mailto:skyreport@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>
> Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 2:01 AM
>
> Subject: SkyREPORT 01/03/2008 - iBiquity Takes On Satellite Radio Merger
>
>
>
> iBiquity Takes On Satellite Radio Merger
>
>
>
> Should a combined satellite radio entity be required to include technology
> from a competing service in its receivers?
>
>
>
> Last month, iBiquity Digital, known for its HD Radio platform that allows 
> FM
> and AM stations to deliver digital-quality audio to listeners, asked the
> Federal Communications Commission to consider a condition for the 
> XM/Sirius
> merger that would require HD Radio technology to be included in all
> satellite radio receivers. It was the latest proposed condition aimed at 
> the
> XM/Sirius transaction, which continues to wait for regulatory approval 
> from
> the FCC and Justice Department antitrust staff.
>
>
>
> In a filing sent to the FCC, iBiquity stressed that it has no formal
> position on the merger. But the company suggested the condition would 
> ensure
> "a level competitive playing field between satellite radio and HD Radio
> technology."
>
>
>
> iBiquity also said a combined satellite radio company should be required 
> to
> terminate all exclusive arrangements with current partners and be 
> prohibited
> from entering into exclusive deals with suppliers, retailers and 
> automobile
> manufacturers in the future.
>
>
>
> In its FCC filing, iBiquity alleged that the satellite radio companies may
> have used subsidies and incentives paid to automobile manufacturers and
> their suppliers to discourage proliferation of HD Radio products.
>
>
>
> The company also said, "A merged entity will have a stronger economic
> position and more cash to fund subsidies and incentives. As the sole
> provider of satellite services, the merged entity will have greater 
> leverage
> over retailers, car manufacturers and suppliers."
>
>
>
> iBiquity added, "This combined satellite monopoly would be in a better
> position to act anti-competitively to exclude HD Radio products."
>
>
>
> The XM/Sirius merger has been at the FCC for more than 180 days. The
> companies first announced plans to combine operations in February.
>
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