FCC sets comment period for satellite merger rule
Monday, July 16, 2007 at 1:29 PM
Tags: 2, XM
In late June, the Federal Communications Commission invited public comments on whether the 1997 SDARS license prohibited a merger between Sirius and XM.
The specific aspect that is in question is whether on whether the language in the license that prohibited the transfer of control of one satellite radio licensee to the other, actually constitutes a binding Commission rule. The FCC is seeking comment on whether they should waive, modify or repeal the transfer prohibition. In their Notice (PDF), the FCC said that the comments, and reply comments, would begin in 30 and 45 days respectively.
Well, that clock has begun.
Comments must be filed on or before August 13, 2007, and reply comments must be filed on or
before August 27, 2007. Use the same Docket Number as before (07-57).
[Read Public Notice (PDF)]
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Comments
>>> The specific aspect that is in question is whether on whether the language in the license that prohibited the transfer of control of one satellite radio licensee to the other, actually constitutes a binding Commission rule.
Are our rules REALLY rules, or are we just kidding?
Duh.
Posted by: StackPointer ? | July 16, 2007 3:19 PM
I saw Prometheus radio, along with he Media Access Project (MAP), and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, submitted a lengthly comment in opposition to the merger.
http://saveaccess.org/node/1486
Posted by: springfling | July 16, 2007 5:12 PM
That is the equivilent of congress asking for the public to decide whether the constitutional amendments were guidelines that should be followed based on the intent of the author or just a series of words that can be used to justify anything... no wait, that is a bad example. I wish they would ask my opinion on that one.
A better example may be seeking opinions on the definition of "is".
Posted by: cyclopsebunny ? | July 16, 2007 5:32 PM
Um, if the rule isn't binding, then what is it doing in the FCC ruling in the first place?
Posted by: crankymediaguy ? | July 17, 2007 5:42 AM