interoperal technologies had a time line for 2006

As I recall, David Frear made the comments on the time line being by the end of calender year 2006, The information was available in the past for viewing via siriusbackstage and was dated 6/20/2006

via orbitcast June 17th 2006,

Dual-subscribers of both Sirius and XM Satellite Radio may have hope afterall of consolidating both their subscriptions into a single unit - very soon.

Introducing Interoperable Technologies, a joint effort supported and funded by both XM and Sirius, working to bring dual-subscription satellite radios to market. XM and Sirius both share ownership in the company.

Interoperable Technologies, founded in 2003, is in the process of designing and architecting these dual-mode satellite radios, with the help of regular consultations from both XM and Sirius. In 2005 they successfully completed the design of a radio capable of receiving both services, and have a timeline to bring a receiver to market this year.

For only $26/month you get over 300-channels of superior content in a single unit. I can't wait.

sirius sec documents says developing and deploying

this is "One" from one of many from calendar year 2000 sec filings which supports the fact they understood what was wanted early on. and now are just using the dual device concept in a ploy to pass muster within the FCC and public arena..



***** Confidential treatment has been requested for portions of this agreement. The copy filed herewith omits the information subject to the confidentiality request. Omissions are designated as *****. A complete version of this agreement has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

JOINT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

This JOINT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT is entered into between XM Satellite Radio Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal location at 1250 23rd Street, N.W., Washington, DC ("XM"), and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal location at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York ("Sirius") as of February 16th, 2000 ("Effective Date").

RECITALS

WHEREAS, XM is engaged in designing, developing, marketing and licensing the technology relating to its satellite digital audio radio system ("XM Radio System") in accordance with the rights under the license issued to XM by the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC");

WHEREAS, Sirius is engaged in designing, developing, marketing and licensing the technology relating to its satellite digital audio radio system ("Sirius Radio System") in accordance with the rights under the license issued to Sirius by the FCC;

WHEREAS, the FCC has mandated that XM and Sirius deploy a final receiver design that is interoperable;

WHEREAS, due to the different technical heritage, satellite design and performance requirements of the XM Radio System and the Sirius Radio System, such systems currently employ different technologies that impede the design and development of an interoperable receiver;

WHEREAS, XM and Sirius and their respective radio equipment suppliers already have expended significant funds in developing Single Mode Radios (as defined below);

WHEREAS, it will take an extensive and expensive joint program to merge the technologies employed by the XM Radio System and the Sirius Radio System in order to design and develop a cost efficient interoperable receiver;

WHEREAS, XM and Sirius are, and will continue to be, competitors in, among other things, the marketing and sale of the satellite broadcasting of radio programming to listeners, the acquisition of rights to broadcast such programming and sale of radio advertising availabilities and other forms of advertising or promotional opportunities in connection with that programming (collectively, "Business Opportunities");

WHEREAS, nothing in this Agreement is intended to, or will in any way, restrain or reduce the competitive rivalry between the parties in the pursuit of Business Opportunities;

WHEREAS, the parties desire to comply with FCC licensing requirements and to enhance efficiency and consumer welfare by jointly developing and deploying certain interoperable technology for the purpose of producing radios capable of receiving broadcasts from both the XM Radio System and the Sirius Radio System


"Interoperable Radio" shall mean a radio that, at a minimum, (a) receives and processes the audio portion of both the Sirius Radio System signal and the XM Radio System signal, either as a result of an Interoperable Chipset contained in the unit itself or as a result of an Interoperable Chipset contained in an outboard location which interfaces directly with the unit, and (b) which is capable of providing the user interface for both Sirius Radio System broadcasts and XM Radio System broadcasts, including displaying the artist and title information transmitted as part of such broadcasts, in each case, without the consumer purchasing additional hardware or software.

"Interoperability Technology" shall mean the technology, including the technology which is jointly funded and developed by Sirius and XM pursuant to this Agreement or owned and/or licensed by either party, which is required to design, develop and/or manufacture an Interoperable Radio, as well as any enhancements and modifications jointly funded and developed for such technology pursuant to this Agreement (including the industry standards jointly developed by the parties pursuant to Section 3.03), but shall not include Non-core Technology.

XM and Sirius will work with their existing automobile and radio manufacturing partners to integrate the new standard under the terms of their existing agreements. All future agreements with automakers and radio partners will specify the new satellite radio standard.

Interoperable satellite radio devices whats the Fcc doing

Well one reporter has been digging for the truth,on this issue.whats shes uncovered so far is below

The public should have access to these devices,Based on the mile-stone requirements issued by the Fcc,which stated full operational service within six years of license.

with or with out the merger, these devices must be launched in the Sprite of public interest. whats the Fcc waiting for!!!


via the Washington times

The issue of interoperable receivers has attracted public scrutiny in recent months in the context of the proposed merger between District-based XM and New York-based Sirius, and not in reference to the 1997 licensing rule.As listed on the FCC Web site, that requirement — FCC Rule 47 Sec. 25.144(a)(3)(ii) — says each applicant shall:

"Certify that its satellite [digital audio radio service] system includes a receiver that will permit end users to access all licensed satellite [digital audio radio service] systems that are operational or under construction.

"The companies have tied the development of interoperable radios to approval of the $5 billion merger.

"When interoperable radios are commercially available, consumers who want to have access to the complete offerings of both companies will be able to do so on a single device," Sirius Chief Executive Officer Mel Karmazin, who would head the combined company, told the Senate in April.

"The opportunity exists for us to commercially market an interoperable radio. Right now we have developed it. There's one in my office right now," Mr. Karmazin told This Week In Consumer Electronics earlier this month.

Dual Satellite radios wheres the truth on this issue!

I'm in complete agreement with Mr Hartleibs petition for declaratory ruling on the mandated interoperable devices along with other interoperable systems. Based upon my personnel research he may well be correct on this issue,In sec filings from calendar year 2000 through 2004 Sirius says they will launch dual/interoperable devices as required!

That said, The recent reply filed jointly by sirius and xm,on the 24th July in Da 07-57. page 21 section c and again on page 95.I quote "the only thing holding up interoperable devices is the merger"

The Fcc should now stop the clock.Then consider the issue as presented, by Mr Hartleib. Along with all the related sec documents.Then publish a finding and or ruling prior to any other action in this merger matter.

I also read this quote below via satelliteradiotachworld which sort of indicates the Fcc also wants the devices made! And may question the status of current compliance with the Fcc mandated vision for sdars to offer consumers dual and or interoperable devices both.

Today, April 16, 2007, Sirius received grantof authority to launch and operate a geostationary satellite

(FM-5). The license term will be for 8 years starting when Sirius notifies the FCC that it has been launched and put into operation.

The FCC made it clear that the grant was issued without prejudice to any action the FCC might take regarding the requirement to produce an interoperable satellite radio.

The statement had an ominous tone. It may be nothing or it may be a sign of
an impending action.

The complete petition can be read here The points listed below were discussed on another date

􀂾 the possibility of requiring implementation of interoperable radios as a
condition of the pending merger

􀂾 the Interoperable Mandate

􀂾 the Petitioner’s request for a Declaratory Ruling

􀂾 procedural protocol of said Petition, as well as numerous issues raised
by Michael Hartleib in support of the pending merger between Sirius
and XM Satellite Radio Inc.

Xmsr included in new vista platform hub

I'm not to sure about how to feel on this issue, as its tie into the new vista platform which requires the user to allow full access to your content and system by Microsoft..

and grants them the right to remove items that violated copy protection laws....with that my main concern is the law which requires violations be reported to the correct regulator...


XM Radio Online Available With Windows Vista
WASHINGTON, Jan 29, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- XM, the nation's leading satellite radio company, today announced that XM Radio Online will be included in Microsoft's new operating system, Windows Vista.

Windows Vista, which will be broadly available on January 30, will offer XM Radio Online as part of its digital music hub. XM Radio Online delivers more than 80 radio channels, including commercial-free music, the Oprah & Friends talk and lifestyle channel, "The Bob Edwards Show," "Opie & Anthony," stand-up comedy, and children's programming.

Web users can sign up for a free, three-day trial of XM Radio Online. Unlimited listening is available for $7.99 a month. Those who subscribe to XM Satellite Radio for the car, home, or portable listening can enjoy XM Radio Online for no additional charge.

"XM is pleased to be extending its strategic relationship with Microsoft with the inclusion of XM Radio Online in Windows Vista," said My-Chau Nguyen, XM senior vice president for marketing programs and operations. "By working with Microsoft, we are expanding the availability of XM Radio Online, which provides an extraordinary variety of music choices, talk radio options, and exclusive programming such as 'Oprah & Friends.' The integration of XM Radio Online further enhances the music and entertainment experience offered by Windows Vista."

"Microsoft is pleased to be working closely with XM," said Mike Sievert, corporate vice president, Windows at Microsoft Corp. "We are thrilled with XM's support and excitement for the launch of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system."

Gm patent for local broadcasting, sales tool (wink)

via satelliteradiotechworld

I wonder if this will become the pathway around the no local broadcasting rule, its sure to draw fire from the nab and others quickly.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

GM Patent Application for Demonstrating Vehicle Features and Promotions
Today, GM had a patent application disclosed that includes the use of a dedicated satellite radio channel to demonstrate the features of a vehicle. It's a novel application of satellite radio.In one embodiment, a vehicle located at a dealership receives a satellite radio signal. The geographic region is determined by a GPS system in the vehicle. A unique message or command is applied to the vehicle. For example, power windows, power sunroof, and power locks can be demonstrated. An executable file can instruct the telematic unit to operate the functions while the salesperson makes the sales pitch. An audio and/or video may accompany the demonstration. Special promotions unique to the dealer my be offered to the potential buyer. The potential buyer may be serenaded by music unique to that region. A specific channel of information may also be provided without a subscription if the vehicle remains within a certain geographic region or is of a specific vehicle type or year. Sounds like the car could sell itself.

ramsey with charlie hughes on autos and audio branding

A No-Nonsense Marketing Smart Tip January 4, 2007

You can learn a lot about branding – good and bad – from the auto industry, and Charlie Hughes should know. He’s the founder and former CEO of Range Rover of North America.

He has worked for six different automakers on eleven different brands and was also CEO of Mazda.Charlie heads the marketing consultancy Brand Rules and is the co-author of Branding Iron: Branding Lessons from the Meltdown of the US Auto Industry. Given the importance of a vital auto industry to the health of the radio industry, Charlie’s got a message for us all.
Listen to the full 15-minute audio interview.

well worth a listen via the link on marks blog Wow, charlie indicates satellite radio, may well be the leader going forward with the introduction of new data services and features the consumer demands. On a personal note I think all the broadcasters have collectively failed at embracing the listener and communicating directly with them.