Wireless phone giants AT&T Wireless and BellSouth Corp. have asked the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to limit the use of signal repeaters by the nations’ two satellite radio companies, XM and Sirius,
according to the Bloomberg News service.
The satellite radio companies say repeaters transmit radio signals where satellite signals can’t reach, under bridges and in tunnels and cities where tall buildings block reception. The phone companies say the repeaters will interfere with planned wireless networks for phone, Internet and video services.
Nevertheless, XM Satellite Radio has announced a high-profile launch of their service at their Washington, D.C. headquarters on Sept. 12. Sirius Satellite Radio, based in New York City, plans to launch later in the year.
If the FCC agrees with the wireless phone companies, without the planned repeaters, there may be holes in the near-universal coverage of satellite radio, which is aimed primarily at mobile audiences -- high among them, truck drivers.