|
Definition
We all have our favorite radio stations that we preset into our car radios, flipping
between them as we drive to and from work, on errands and around town. But when
travel too far away from the source station, the signal breaks up and fades into
static. Most radio signals can only travel about 30 or 40 miles from their source.
On long trips that find you passing through different cities, you might have to
change radio stations every hour or so as the signals fade in and out.
Now, imagine a radio station that can broadcast its signal
from more than 22,000 miles (35,000 kill) away and then come through on your car
radio with complete clarity without ever having to change the radio station.
Satellite Radio or Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) is a subscriber based
radio service that is broadcast directly from satellites. Subscribers will be
able to receive up to100 radio channels featuring Compact Disk digital quality
music, news, weather, sports. talk radio and other entertainment channels.
Satellite radio is an idea nearly 10 years in the making. In 1992, the U.S.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated a spectrum in the "S"
band (2.3 GHz) for nationwide broadcasting of satellite-based Digital Audio Radio
Service (DARS).. In 1997. the FCC awarded 8-year radio broadcast licenses to two
companies, Sirius Satellite Radio former (CD Radio) and XM Satellite Radio (former
American Mobile Radio). Both companies have been working aggressively to be prepared
to offer their radio services to the public by the end of 2000. It is expected
that automotive radios would be the largest application of Satellite Radio. The
satellite era began in September 2001 when XM launched in selected markets. followed
by full nationwide service in November. Sirius lagged slightly, with a gradual
rollout beginning _n February, including a quiet launch in the Bay Area on June
15. The nationwide launch comes July 1.
<<back |