Sirius Real-Time Traffic Debuts

By Amy Gilroy -- TWICE, 8/29/2005

New York — Sirius Satellite Radio announced a November launch date for its long-awaited real-time traffic service, to be available in 22 major metropolitan U.S. areas.

Sirius also announced that alpine will offer the first hardware receiver for the system. The new Alpine NVE-N872A navigation system, which also works with XM’s NavTraffic system, will have an optional Sirius module called the SiriusConnect SIR-ALP10T. The SiriusConnect tuner supports both Sirius music and data and can simultaneously receive and play Sirius radio programming while monitoring traffic messages.

Under the Sirius system, traffic information is updated every few minutes. Icons indicating traffic incidents and traffic speed flow appear on the user’s route map. Sirius will allow other data services, such as weather, to be seamlessly added in the future, said the company.

Sirius’ rival, XM, launched a similar NavTraffic service in the fall of 2004.

The suggested retail price for the SiriusConnect SIR-ALP10T tuner is $299.99, and $1,700 for the Alpine NVE-N872A Satellite Traffic Ready navigation system. The navigation monitor is sold separately.

The metro areas covered by the new Sirius traffic service are: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Orlando, Fla., Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Francisco/Oakland, San Diego, San Jose, Calif., Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Fla. and Washington. Sirius expects to expand the service to over 50 cities by 2007.