Next Tuesday on Orbitcast Radio, I will be joined by Kathleen Wallman of U.S. Electronics and Gigi Sohn president/co-founder of Washington DC based public interest group Public Knowledge, to discuss the concept of "open access" in satellite radio.Open access has recently gained significant momentum in the discussions surrounding the merger between Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio, especially following a recent supporting letter from Reps. John Dingell and Ed Markey.
Key questions:
- What is the significance of open access?
- How does this affect consumers?
- Can Sirius/XM remain protected while still remaining "open"?
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When Tyler did an interview with Mrs Wallman some time ago, she actually came onto the comments section or the article to strengthen her position, and I applauded her for that.
But I did ask her one question which she never answered, so I would appreciate it if you Ryan or any other caller could ask this question if I am not able to call:
Is US Electronics willing to start producing Interopperable Radio Recievers from day one of the open access platform without subsidy from Sirius/XM, or is this just a posturing technique to allow you into the sector once the two companies have actually done all of the work?
And do not allow her to say anything like "We would have to judge the market at the time... blah blah blah. "
They are fighting hard for this open access, so they KNOW that the market will be there. Are they willing to start it off, or do they just want to hang back and reap the rewards of the hard work of others when it does show up?
And I am not being hateful here, but I am sure that if they were willing to do this now with minimal or no subsidy, there would be no reason to wait for the merger to come to an agreement with the two companies.
LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE! LET THEM MERGE!
I have a question you can ask them.. "While the two satellite radio companies both signed an agreement to not be allowed to merge, why have they tried to do just that very thing?? and why has the D.O.J. allowed a potential merger to monopoly when there might be the promise of one or two companies starting up, but not in existence when the merger was proposed??
Hey Ryan, I'm not being hateful either. I enjoy your website and your podcast. But please, focus on the purity of the talk show format, and forget about the chat room and the video simulcast. They are distracting you. When you forget about them and focus on just talking and taking calls, your show improves 100%. If listeners want to comment on your show, they can call in or do it on your website, not in a chat room. And, no offense, but if we want to see you, you can just post a photo on your website. Do we really need to see you live, talking into a mic?
From a fan, not a smartass.
Really cool that you're having Gigi Sohn on to discuss this! Can't wait to hear the show.
Next Tuesday on Orbitcast Radio: The Incompetent fool known as Annonymous Coward A.K.A. NAB Radio boy discussing his total ignorance and lack of knowledge of the proposed XM/Sirius merger!
I agree 100% with McCain's Brain's comment above.
I can't wait to listen.
Good luck!
@McCain's Brain I actually really appreciate the constructive criticism. And you're completely right, when I forget about all the other pieces the show seems to flow much better.
Thanks man.