While lawmakers consider using analog TV spectrum for Emergency
Services communications after the DTV transition in 2009, it appears that satellite radio might actually get there
first. According to an FCC filing last week, XM is commenting on the usage
of satellite radio for the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Volunteering to transmit national emergency messages on all
channels, XM also suggests it can send state and local emergency messages on their Instant Traffic & Weather
channels.By the end of 2006, XM and SIRIUS will be required to transmit the national messages and the gist of XM's FCC filing is to suggest different methods of coordinating state and local broadcasts as well. Is this a good idea if it doesn't cost the consumer any additional subscription fees or do we just need national emergency messages on satellite radio?
Read the PDF (thanks Dave!)
1. FWIW, emergency information is done on channel "247", regardless of subscription status.
Posted at 5:59AM on Feb 2nd 2006 by Jason Fesler