Last Friday, Reps. Ed Markey (MA-07) and Lee Terry (NE-02) introduced H.R. 7157, the “Radio All Digital Channel Receiver Act,” that requires satellite radio receivers with AM or FM tuners be capable of receiving digital signals. A bipartisan group of members of Congress have cosponsored the bill, including Reps. Greg Walden (OR-02), Charlie Gonzalez (TX-20), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Dan Burton (IN-05), Mark Souder (IN-03) and Robert Latta (OH-05).

As a result of the merger between XM and Sirius satellite radio, the combined company now has more spectrum than the entire AM and FM bands combined. One of the merger conditions debated at the FCC, but not ultimately adopted, was a requirement that XM and Sirius satellite radios include a high definition (HD) radio chip that would allow these satellite receivers to receive digital AM and FM signals.

More than 1,700 broadcasters have invested in HD radio technology. Digital technology allows broadcasters to multicast with several streams of programming and allows broadcasters to compete with niche-targeted Internet and satellite radio stations. Only HD radio, with better sound quality and expanded choice, can provide customers with a comparable alternative to satellite radio, and in turn, a check on satellite radio prices.