NAB's Rehr to FCC: Don't Approve XM-WCS Deal

The NAB has weighed in again on XM SATELLITE RADIO HOLDINGS' proposed purchase of 16 blocks of wireless spectrum from WCS WIRELESS, INC., with Pres./CEO DAVID REHR writing a letter to FCC Chairman KEVIN MARTIN asserting that "the applicants have not shown that this acquisition will serve the public interest" and that "the Commission cannot, on the information as yet provided by the applicants, approve the proposed license transfer." 

REHR adds that even if the deal is approved, the Commission should place "appropriate conditions" on the approval to prevent XM from using the licenses to evade its restriction to national service only. The NAB has objected to any use of XM's satellite service to provide local material, including use of terrestrial repeaters for that purpose.

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