“The satellite radio companies XM and Sirius asked the Federal Communications Commission for permission to merge in March of 2007. Four hundred and fifty-one days later, they’re still waiting for an answer.”
So notes the Wall Street Journal in a commentary piece.
“We wonder if FCC Chairman Kevin Martin realizes that the Iran hostage crisis was settled in less time…. Whatever is giving Mr. Martin pause has nothing to do with whether the deal is anticompetitive. According to the administrators of our antitrust laws, it isn’t.”
The editorial quotes sources saying Martin wants more political cover before okaying the merger; it makes no reference to the FCC rule under which the companies originally were licensed that prevents such a combination.
