Chris Blount
06-07-04, 06:33 AM
The interested parties got their chance to comment Friday on a petition at the Federal Communications Commission that proposes to restrict - and possibly prohibit - satellite radio companies from delivering local traffic and weather. And, as expected, satellite interests asked the FCC to reject the move.
In April, the National Association of Broadcasters filed with the FCC a petition alleging that satellite radio providers Sirius and XM may have violated FCC rules by providing local weather and traffic reports to subscribers. The NAB asked the FCC to prohibit satellite radio from using technology that permits delivery of content to a receiver in one location that differs from content aired on a receiver at a different location. The petition also asks the FCC to prohibit satellite radio from providing locally-oriented services on nationally distributed channels.
In its comments, the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association urged the FCC to dismiss NAB's petition and its request that the commission regulate satellite radio receiver technology, which could preclude satellite radio operators from offering innovative and beneficial services. SBCA also encouraged the FCC to maintain policies that value the interests of consumers and promote new and advanced uses of technology and spectrum.
"Satellite radio is creating a revolution in mobile entertainment and information," Richard DalBello, president of SBCA, said in a statement. "The locally-oriented programming now offered is unique and responds to an unmet public demand, it doesn't undermine localism. NAB's petition is an attempt to eliminate the competition under the guise of serving the public interests."
Satellite radio programming is transmitted nationwide to all customer receivers simultaneously, and although some programming may be of more interest to people in certain geographic areas, it does not convert the programming content from "national" to "local" in nature, the SBCA said.
The NAB did not offer a statement or FCC filing since it the satellite radio subject is tied to its petition at the FCC.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)
In April, the National Association of Broadcasters filed with the FCC a petition alleging that satellite radio providers Sirius and XM may have violated FCC rules by providing local weather and traffic reports to subscribers. The NAB asked the FCC to prohibit satellite radio from using technology that permits delivery of content to a receiver in one location that differs from content aired on a receiver at a different location. The petition also asks the FCC to prohibit satellite radio from providing locally-oriented services on nationally distributed channels.
In its comments, the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association urged the FCC to dismiss NAB's petition and its request that the commission regulate satellite radio receiver technology, which could preclude satellite radio operators from offering innovative and beneficial services. SBCA also encouraged the FCC to maintain policies that value the interests of consumers and promote new and advanced uses of technology and spectrum.
"Satellite radio is creating a revolution in mobile entertainment and information," Richard DalBello, president of SBCA, said in a statement. "The locally-oriented programming now offered is unique and responds to an unmet public demand, it doesn't undermine localism. NAB's petition is an attempt to eliminate the competition under the guise of serving the public interests."
Satellite radio programming is transmitted nationwide to all customer receivers simultaneously, and although some programming may be of more interest to people in certain geographic areas, it does not convert the programming content from "national" to "local" in nature, the SBCA said.
The NAB did not offer a statement or FCC filing since it the satellite radio subject is tied to its petition at the FCC.
http://www.skyreport.com (Used with permission)