COMMENTARY: Is it possible to be angry and not really care at the same time? That's how I feel about the XM and Sirius merger.
It is finally official. The FCC has approved the merger of XM and Sirius. This despite that fact that the approval create a monopoly in US satellite radio. Supporters counter that they needed it to survive. There may be truth to that, but I suspect the new combined company needs to do more than merge to fend of a rising plethora of competition.
Audio streaming over our cell networks is gaining traction. Free Pandora for the iPhone was logging an application download every two seconds a few days after launch and other similar apps in the works. But ubiquitous WiFi and WiMax are the real satellite-killers. Why pay when you can grab Radio Paradise or Soma free on any internet enabled device?
So congratulations XM and Sirius. You got one over on the FCC. Enjoy it now while you can
