The FCC has given Sirius XM the go-ahead to place terrestrial repeaters in Alaska and Hawaii, a step towards offering the national satellite radio service to potential subscribers in those states.
On Dec. 21, the agency gave the satcaster special temporary authority to operate four repeaters in each of those states through June 21, dismissing objections raised by the National Association of Broadcasters, Mt. Wilson FM Broadcasters, the Alaska Broadcasters Association and the Hawaii Association of Broadcasters, according to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. It reports that Sirius XM will use 1,800-watt repeaters to bring service to Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Honolulu.
In the same order, the account cites a report in Satwavespro.com which states the commission gave Sirius XM permission to install an unspecified number of repeaters in Puerto Rico, as well as five in the Cincinnati market — both for 180 days — to improve coverage, dismissing objections raised by the WCS Coalition over the Cincinnati decision. The commission previously approved the use of terrestrial repeaters in Puerto Rico to improve coverage there.
