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XM "New" Spectrum

F

FlyOnWall

I responded to a post several pages down-the-thread about this, but in light of all the new XM channel changes and additions, it seems appropriate to bring it to the front page.

Something to keep in mind...the additional 10 Mhz. of specturm allocation that XM is getting/already has received from WCS can NOT (under existing rules anyway) be transmitted from space via satellite. Unlike the adjacent existing 2.3 Ghz. band that XM (and Sirius) are located within, WCS did not have an exclusive /nationwide license, only licenses in most of the major markets. Plus, the original WCS-intended service was to use land based transmitters. What this means is that however XM chooses to utilize this new 10 Mhz. of spectrum programming-wise, the transmission will have to be via terrestrial means. Plus, MOST current receivers are not equipped to tune there. Again...most! Read between the lines as you choose. So, that's the "BAD" news...

Now for the "GOOD" news! Since the WCS license was originally granted at auction under FCC rules other than the DARS statutes governing the existing XM license, one might conclude that XM is free to do what ever they want with the new bandwidth. Maybe XM-TV, XM-POD, XM-Paging? Or...better yet...maybe even XM-New York, XM-Philadelphia, XM-Dallas, etc. as in XM operating LOCAL radio stations!!! Now THAT might just be the final death-blow to testicular radio!

I'll bet past NAB dictator, er-um...director Eddie Fritts is glad he's finally retired. This issue, long-feared, predicted, accused, protested, and fought against by Fritts, might YET give him heart failure!!!
 
> I responded to a post several pages down-the-thread about
> this, but in light of all the new XM channel changes and
> additions, it seems appropriate to bring it to the front
> page.
>
> Something to keep in mind...the additional 10 Mhz. of
> specturm allocation that XM is getting/already has received
> from WCS can NOT (under existing rules anyway) be
> transmitted from space via satellite. Unlike the adjacent
> existing 2.3 Ghz. band that XM (and Sirius) are located
> within, WCS did not have an exclusive /nationwide license,
> only licenses in most of the major markets. Plus, the
> original WCS-intended service was to use land based
> transmitters. What this means is that however XM chooses to
> utilize this new 10 Mhz. of spectrum programming-wise, the
> transmission will have to be via terrestrial means. Plus,
> MOST current receivers are not equipped to tune there.
> Again...most! Read between the lines as you choose. So,
> that's the "BAD" news...
>
> Now for the "GOOD" news! Since the WCS license was
> originally granted at auction under FCC rules other than the
> DARS statutes governing the existing XM license, one might
> conclude that XM is free to do what ever they want with the
> new bandwidth. Maybe XM-TV, XM-POD, XM-Paging? Or...better
> yet...maybe even XM-New York, XM-Philadelphia, XM-Dallas,
> etc. as in XM operating LOCAL radio stations!!! Now THAT
> might just be the final death-blow to testicular radio!
>
> I'll bet past NAB dictator, er-um...director Eddie Fritts is
> glad he's finally retired. This issue, long-feared,
> predicted, accused, protested, and fought against by Fritts,
> might YET give him heart failure!!!
>


Once again, neither XM or Sirius is allowed to broadcast local content unless it is NATIONAL (re: on the sats).
 
> Once again, neither XM or Sirius is allowed to broadcast
> local content unless it is NATIONAL (re: on the sats).
>

Unlike the terrestrial repeaters that XM and Sirius have, the WCS licenses have no content restrictions. There's nothing stopping them from doing it, but I don't see enough return on the investment for them to bother pushing the issue.

I recall hearing something during CES that they might use that spectrum for mobile video, but haven't heard anything since.

As usual, XM won't tip its hand so we really won't know what's up until they decide to launch something.<P ID="signature">______________
...co-moderator of the Satellite Radio, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, and San Diego boards...</P>
 
> > I responded to a post several pages down-the-thread about
> > this, but in light of all the new XM channel changes and
> > additions, it seems appropriate to bring it to the front
> > page.
> >
> > Something to keep in mind...the additional 10 Mhz. of
> > specturm allocation that XM is getting/already has
> received
> > from WCS can NOT (under existing rules anyway) be
> > transmitted from space via satellite. Unlike the adjacent
> > existing 2.3 Ghz. band that XM (and Sirius) are located
> > within, WCS did not have an exclusive /nationwide license,
>
> > only licenses in most of the major markets. Plus, the
> > original WCS-intended service was to use land based
> > transmitters. What this means is that however XM chooses
> to
> > utilize this new 10 Mhz. of spectrum programming-wise, the
>
> > transmission will have to be via terrestrial means. Plus,
> > MOST current receivers are not equipped to tune there.
> > Again...most! Read between the lines as you choose. So,
> > that's the "BAD" news...
> >
> > Now for the "GOOD" news! Since the WCS license was
> > originally granted at auction under FCC rules other than
> the
> > DARS statutes governing the existing XM license, one might
>
> > conclude that XM is free to do what ever they want with
> the
> > new bandwidth. Maybe XM-TV, XM-POD, XM-Paging?
> Or...better
> > yet...maybe even XM-New York, XM-Philadelphia, XM-Dallas,
> > etc. as in XM operating LOCAL radio stations!!! Now THAT
> > might just be the final death-blow to testicular radio!
> >
> > I'll bet past NAB dictator, er-um...director Eddie Fritts
> is
> > glad he's finally retired. This issue, long-feared,
> > predicted, accused, protested, and fought against by
> Fritts,
> > might YET give him heart failure!!!
> >
>
>
> Once again, neither XM or Sirius is allowed to broadcast
> local content unless it is NATIONAL (re: on the sats).
>

If XM ever really wants to broadcast local, they will fight that rule in court and win under 1st Amendment protections. There is not any reason to surpress freedom of the press in this case other than protecting a private business which no Federal court has ever protected. Also with Clear Channel's involvement and investment in XM I think you will see less of the anti-sat radio from the NAB. Also, as subscriptions go up, Sat Radio will have more lobbying power based on the numbers of people they can reach. I find it funny that the NAB hasn't attacked net radio yet, though I'm sure they will once WiFi becomes a reality and net radio will be able to be listened to in vehicles and other portable devices.
 
WCS spectrum can be ANY thing

> > Once again, neither XM or Sirius is allowed to broadcast
> > local content unless it is NATIONAL (re: on the sats).
> >
>
Like John said, that is not correct. XM and Sirius are prohibited from transmitting material on their terrestial "translators" that differs from the satellite transmissions. As long as a program available from a tower is available via satellite, XM and Sirius are in compliance with FCC rules (and the promises they made to the FCC before the rulemaking).

The WCS frequency can be used for anything, but cannot be transmitted from a satellite.

I bet a dozen doughnuts it will be mobile video feeds into DVRs, mixed with live video.
 
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