Congressman Luis G. Fortuno, the sole representative of Puerto Rico in Congress, submitted an interesting comment to the FCC today regarding the merger between Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.
He urged the Commission to not approve the Sirius-XM merger, unless the companies include Puerto Rico and other noncontiguous areas of the U.S. as part of their service.
"It is time to change the 1997 policies," asserted Fortuno in reference to the SDARS license and it's 48 state requirement.
Fortuno is also the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Conference and the Ranking Member of the newly-created House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs.
"My official position is to oppose the merger until such time that the exclusion of Puerto Rico and other noncontiguous United States jurisdictions from coverage area of satellite radio service ceases," wrote Fortuno. "My interest and concern include providing equal access to this technology to all U.S. citizens and encouraging industries doing businesss in the mainland to extend their services to the Puero Rican market."
His sentiment echoes a similar filing (PDF) submitted earlier this year by the Senate of Puerto Rico. The Senate contends that "[s]ince the FCC represents the public interest of all United States citizens... its deliberations should also watch for the interests of the millions of consumers residing in the outlying States and Territories under the United States flag."
As such, they oppose the merger until Sirius and XM provide coverage to Puerto Rico.
Somehow, I can't see allowing Puerto Rico's nearly 4 million residents to sign up to Sirius-XM as being much of a problem.
[FCC Filing (PDF)]
Should this continually bother me? ...the fact that these people are opposing the merger on the grounds of desired inclusion or some other selfish motive rather than on the merits of right and wrong?
forming a monopoly was the only real basis for oppostion, however, since that has been proven by common sense and the numerous competitiors, there is no other grounds to oppose the merger.
Selfishness by people who want a cut (Georgetown Partners) or want to be included in contract deals (HD radio) or those who want to be able to receive the service (Puerto Rico--which, if it doesn't cost much, would only benefit SatRad anyway) are NOT reasons to reject the merger.
The RIGHT thing is to APPROVE the merger by both the DOJ and FCC.
As a subscriber, a citizen, and a consumer...I SUPPORT the MERGER
Why should they get a say when they don't pay taxes?
As a Sirius subscriber living in PR i would love it if the service were officially extended here. I get ok signal that is consistent unless i go under trees and tall buildings, that the only time i lose it. I would love to finally be able to do business above board and subscribe with my real address and pay with my credit card.
Good point about the taxes.
I hope that Sirius is going to have spot beams on the new satellite for the Caribbean and Hawaii.
I have listened to Sirius on PR but i did not listem long enough to see how many hours a day it works.
This is a perfect argument FOR the merger.The synergies of the combiled company would allow for expantion into additional markets.If the FCC/DOJ were to make the merger contingent on delivery of Sat Rad Puerto Rico ,Im sure Mel would be happy to comply.
I drive alot and at very wierd times of the day and so far there has not been a single time of day when i have not been able to get service.
I don't want to turn this into a political discussion but i would say to you guys that we don't get to vote for president but we still have to go to all the wars they decide to start. I'm not pro these letters stopping the merger but I'm at least glad that they are bringing this to the attention of the FCC and will hopefully lead to legitimate service here.
Hawaii? Alaska? PR already gets coverage, albeit unintentionally, but if this guy's views are supported, it will never happen, as it is economically unreasonable to expand satellite coverage to these two far-flung states as well.
Spot beams are used by Sat TV and work great. I would be surprised if that would not be done with the new satellite.
But what do we know Sirius tells us little to nothing. We cannot even get the number of votes with the merger.
I know there are people in Anchorage who subscribe to Sirius & XM. There are Puerto Rican subscribers to both services, as well.
Hawaii is too big an ask, though.
So they don't get SATRAD in the Bronx?
I had pretty good coverage with my stilleto on a beach in cancun last january, I can not understand how PR wouldn't get a good signal. Hell ad a couple repeaters in the more populated parts and it might work pretty well. However if spot beams are cheaper go for them.
Looks like the PR brothers are learning from the Mexican counterparts. Before anything gets done you have to first pay off the politicians and other officials.
Patently Absurd ridiculous crazy! If he guarantees funding for the additionally orbits of satellites why, not?
This merger is doomed. I don't see how it going to get through.
Shalom,
--- Leland Milton Goldblatt, Ph.D. ®
Distinguished Professor
http://drgoldblatt.blogspot.com/
This merger has so many strings attached to it that it will never fly, that and they have wasted so much time on this. There are more important things the government should be worrying about like how to keep a major city from blowing up.
In 2006 Sirius applied for repeaters in Alaska & Hawaii. What is taking the FCC so long on that application? Parts of Alaska already get Sirius, and the repeater would "fill in" some of the gaps in the 3 largest cities of Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. While I don't think the merger should be tied to PR, Alaska and Hawaii getting service, it would be nice to recognize those 6 million US citizens and offer them what the contiguous 48 states get.
Reply to NorCalMurph -
Dumbass.
Hey there, if you're looking to listen to radio from Puerto Rico, feel free to check out Streema's directory of Puerto Rican radio stations: http://www.streema.com/radios/puerto_rico
You'll be able to tune in to AM, FM, and web radio stations such as Salsoul, Sistema 102 and WCAD Alfa Rock. Hope you find it useful!
http://bagreddet.com > http://bagreddet.com
http://bagreddet.com > http://bagreddet.com
pmkjb dnmfx
svhd qbvtgh vitwl
svhd qbvtgh vitwl
qdmnl oqdc