Sat Radio Merger Still Target of Puerto Rico Concerns
As XM and Sirius continue to wait for regulatory approval of their merger, Puerto Rico interests have kept approaching the Federal Communications Commission with their concerns about the lack of satellite radio service to the Caribbean island.
Late last week, Luis Fortuno, who represents Puerto Rico interests in the House of Representatives, wrote FCC Chairman Kevin Martin about the absence of satellite radio in the U.S. commonwealth. Fortuno admitted that satellite radio platforms are not required to provide service to Puerto Rico under the FCC authorizations granted to them in 1997.
However, "It is time to change the 1997 policies," Fortuno said.
Fortuno also said he would oppose the XM/Sirius merger "until such time that the exclusion of Puerto Rico and other non-contiguous United States jurisdictions from coverage area of satellite radio service ceases. My interest and concern include providing equal access to this technology to all U.S. citizens and encouraging industries doing business in the mainland to extend their services to the Puerto Rico market."
In addition to Puerto Rico, satellite radio service is not available to Hawaii and Alaska.
Fortuno has joined other Puerto Rico interests in opposing the proposed satellite radio merger.
Last fall, the Puerto Rico Senate passed a resolution that expressed the legislative body's opposition to the satellite radio deal. At issue for the Puerto Rico lawmakers is the lack of satellite radio service available to the Caribbean island, other U.S. territories and the non-contiguous states of Hawaii and Alaska.
In addition to receiving FCC approval, the XM/Sirius merger is being considered by antitrust staff at the Justice Department.
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