Sirius Looks To Expand, Alaska Broadcasters Object

Sirius XM appears to be moving to offer satellite radio in Alaska and Hawaii, less than a month after the Federal Communications Commission approved plans to use terrestrial repeaters in both states, according to a story at newsminers.com.

The posting reports Brandon Mathews at www.satwaves has written that the commercial radio lobby has long opposed expansion of the service to the 49th and 50th states and tied up the matter for years in the FCC.

Sirius XM, which has 20 million subscribers, offers commercial-free music, sports, talk, news and other programs on 135 channels accessible through various mobile devices with a basic monthly fee of about $13.

The FCC dismissed objections to the terrestrial repeaters raised by the Alaska Broadcasters Association. Sirius has proposed that 1,800-watt repeaters be used to extend coverage to Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Honolulu.

The website says that in addition to the land-based repeaters, Sirius has asked to reposition satellites that could provide coverage for the two states.

Sirius has been seeking approval for the expansion for four years.

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