U.S. Electronics has previously supported an open-source condition should the Federal Communications Commission approve the proposed merger of the two satellite companies.
Now the electronics components manufacturer has submitted a detailed open-source proposal, saying the condition would require the merged XM/Sirius to adopt certain requirements enabling consumers to choose whichever device they prefer to connect to satellite radio networks.
Among the main points of the proposal:
- Allow the public free and unfettered use of any device to access the satellite radio network, as long as the device does no harm to the network. Independent testing labs would verify this.
- Open up access to retail and automotive markets for designers, manufacturers and distributors of satellite radio receivers, allowing these competitive and innovative companies access to all necessary technical requirements, specification and chipsets to produce new radios;
- Block the merged company from controlling the price of satellite radio receivers, and from entering into non-competitive exclusive agreements, by barring the company’s direct or indirect involvement in the design, manufacture or distribution of satellite radio devices.
Supporters of the open-access concept include House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich. and House Subcommittee on Telecom and the Internet Chairman Ed Markey, D- Mass.; advocacy groups Media Access Project and Public Knowledge; and Ibiquity Digital and the HD Digital Radio Alliance.
