New bill calls for HD-compatible satellite radio

Legislators over the weekend introduced new legislation requiring satellite radio receivers to pick up digital signals, even though federal regulators are still seeking public comment on the issue.

House Representative Ed Markey, D-Mass., on Saturday introduced the Radio All Digital Channel Receiver Act, which requires equipment designed to receive both satellite digital audio radio and terrestrial AM/FM radio to be equipped to receive digital radio signals transmitted by terrestrial AM/FM stations.

"Millions of Americans today rely on local broadcast radio for news, public safety bulletins, sports, weather, traffic, and other information," Markey said in a press release. "As the broadcast radio industry migrates to digital broadcasting technology, this legislation will ensure that consumers are able to readily receive free service through consumer electronics systems that are otherwise receiving satellite digital audio radio and traditional AM or FM stations."

The responsibility for overseeing this new regulation would fall to the Federal Communications Commission, which would be required to act on the legislation within 180 days of its passage. The FCC, however, is still receiving public comments on the merits of this issue.

The FCC committed itself to exploring the possibility of requiring satellite radio to include digital audio broadcast when it approved the merger of Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio in July. It released a Notice of Inquiry (PDF) on the subject in late August, for which the comment deadline is November 10. The inquiry seeks answers to questions such as how many multifunctional radio receivers may be available in the near future without it being mandatory.

Markey's legislation so far appears to be garnering bipartisan support, with co-sponsors like Lee Terry, R-Neb., Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas, and Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

Markey said his bill would help ensure the long-term competitive health of local radio, since the XM-Sirius merger "underscored the importance of ensuring consumer access to a diversity of sources for digital radio content, in particular content originating in their local communities."

[Solaris_User]

What? Why? Nothing is broken. It's time for Congress to go on vacation and stop doing stuff for a while.

[sythara]

I wonder which of the companies lobbied (paid off) to get this one passed. Why does the Government always feel the need to interfere with perfectly functioning free market economy.

[FMoon135]

This is great. Now all of the people that already have Satellite radio are going to have to buy another device.
Great decision by the legislators. We all probably have a ton of money to spare, especially with this economy.
Markey said his bill would help ensure the long-term competitive health of local radio, since the XM-Sirius merger "underscored the importance of ensuring consumer access to a diversity of sources for digital radio content, in particular content originating in their local communities."

Don't they understand? Satellite radio is a better product, that is why I paid for a radio and a monthly fee; I chose, no one obligated me to pay for satellite radio service. Terrestrial radio has a million commercials, it?s their fault that people are choosing to go to satellite radio. Plus, if I want the content from my local community, I can just change the station. I think all satellite radios work along with regular radios. What if I am listening to a CD? Don?t I get the same results?

Aren?t we supposed to have a right to chose? Now we have to pay because I chose what some legislators don?t like? Aren?t these legislators supposed to be representing the people and not these terrestrial radio stations that fill their pockets?

How about focusing on something important? All the problems in this country and these people focus on radios, no wonder we are in this situation.

[mskowyra]

I agree that Congress could better direct their energy, however we won't have to buy anything. The addition of HD and AM/FM receivers to new radios will not affect the ability of existing radios to recieve satellite content.

[simmons142]

Well, it's not like Congress had anything better to do this past weekend. Oh, wait...

[tejah79]

1st TV,
now radio,
next internet,
finally V-Chip

Do you see what's happening?

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