Peter R. wrote:
On 8/14/2007 5:35:57 PM, "Gig 601XL Builder" wrote:

Ouch, I didn't realize they were requireing the change now.

Yep, required because the legacy system will be deactivated sometime
early 2008. All customers must be over to the new receiver by that
time.

That would
make me nervous as hell. What is WSI saying about ther XM/Sirius
merger?

There are a few things about WSI InFlight that have incited my ire
since I have been a customer. Reverse engineering weather on the
Garmin GNS430/530 that then resulted in Garmin abandoning WSI and
leaving those of us with MX20 moving maps no longer supported starts
the list. Frequent service outages and this mandated upgrade round it
out. When the service works it is excellent, however.

Since XM and Sirius haven't officially merged yet (I think they are
being slowed/stopped by the US gov't, no?) I am confident that WSI
will not muddy the waters by mentioning any more constraints to their
customers.

From a story on C-Net:

What regulatory hurdles does the deal face?


The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission
must grant approval, posing a significant challenge. Because Sirius and XM
are the only two satellite radio providers operating in the country, their
merger would effectively create a monopoly. Federal legislation bars both
satellite radio licenses from being owned by the same company to guard
against high prices and other negative effects on consumers. FCC Chairman
Kevin Martin said in a statement that the hurdle for approval would be high.
"The companies would need to demonstrate that consumers would clearly be
better off with both more choice and affordable prices," Martin said. Given
historic opposition to media consolidation by Democrats, who control
Congress, the companies will have some hard lobbying to do.

---



That story was dated back in February. While they are going to have to jump
through hoops I have a feeling that the merger will go through. While it
will form a monopoly as far as satellite delivered radio is concerned it
isn't like satellite is the only way to listen to the radio. Added to that
is the fact that if they don't merge one or both is likely to go belly up
sooner or later.