Sirius Gets FCC Green Light, XM Halts Shipments

By Amy Gilroy -- TWICE, 8/14/2006

New York — While Sirius Satellite Radio received the go-ahead from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ship many of its plug-and-play receivers, XM Satellite Radio is still working with the FCC to bring its radios into compliance with emissions regulations.

XM said it expects to receive approval on its products “in the coming weeks,” which marks the first time since the spring that XM has publicly hinted at an imminent approval.

Last week, Sirius announced that one of its radio manufacturers, Kiryung Electronics has resumed manufacturing and distribution of Sirius receivers with FM transmitters. Kiryung received new grants of authority from the FCC for the Xact Visor, SIRIUS One and Sportster Replay. The company also continues to manufacture the Sportster 4 plug-and-play receiver.

XM said the FCC requested additional information on its Sportscaster, Roady XT, MyFi, Airware, Tao and Roady 2 receivers and that XM has asked its manufacturers to suspend production and shipments of these radios and their accessories. The FCC is already investigating emissions levels on the Audiovox Xpress and Delphi SkyFi2 and shipments on these products are also “temporarily suspended,” said a spokesman. XM said however that the Pioneer Inno and Samsung Helix and Nexus are not under investigation and these products are shipping.

Both XM and Sirius have stated that since the spring, their plug-and-play products that rely on wireless FM transmitters have been under investigation by the FCC for violating transmitter emissions limits.