DailyTech - XM Halts FM-Enabled Radio Sales Due to FCC Probe

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Gadgets XM Halts FM-Enabled Radio Sales Due to FCC Probe
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - May 28, 2006 11:08 PM

2 comment(s) - last by plowboy1.. on May 29 at 7:21 AM

The TAO TXM1020 XM Radio is one of the offending devices

XM Satellite FM Radios have been removed from online stores due to poor FCC test results

XM is facing problems with the FCC in regards to some of its portable XM tuners that ship with regular FM modulators. The devices from XM have been said to not meet radio device requirements set by the FCC that all consumer FM transmitters must meet. Many XM radios rebroadcast the XM feed over a low FM station so that inexpensive FM radios can play the audio stream.

According to an official statement from XM's director of retail marketing, XM has pulled off all offending devices from its kiosk and online store shelves. However, other retailers carrying the devices are not bound by the same rules and are not required to remove the devices until the FCC makes a final decision.

The recall apparently does not affect the Inno brand of FM players because XM can update the firmware on the devices to comply with transmission standards.

XM Satellite has faced a fair amount of problems recently. Competition from satellite radio company Sirius is not helping XM either. Just this week, XM's deal to acquire WCS Wireless to expand its service fell through because of financial issues and poor stock performance.

DailyTech previously reported that XM was facing legal problems with the RIAA because some of its portable XM players allowed users to save tunes that they listen to. The RIAA said that this was a breach of music copyright laws and demanded that XM hand over $150,000 per tune downloaded by users.