Local Rep opposes XM/Sirius Merger

US Representative Mike Doyle (D – Forest Hills), as vice-chairman of the House Telecommunications Subcommittee has voiced his opposition to the merger of Satellite Radio rivals XM and Sirius. (Story found in the McKeesport Daily News 5/29 – not online.) Doyle’s letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzoles, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras says the merger would be harmful to subscribers and is not in the public interest. In addition Doyle stated that the FCC knows that “licensing at least two providers will help to ensure that subscription rules are competitive, as well as provide for a diversity of voices.” Apparently neither satcaster heeded an FCC order to provide a receiver able to switch between network software.