Program: XM

Formerly known as AMRC

US satellite program for digital radio broadcast. A new firm called XM Satellite Radio Inc was created, it is owned by AMSC (majority voting power), Hughes (invested $50 million) and Alcatel. A public offering in early 2001 raised $201.4 million.

Radio towers will have to be deployed in cities to act as repeaters.

Telesat Canada will control the satellites; a 15-year contract was signed in Feb 2000. Telesat will build 2 control stations in Washington DC and Calgary, Alberta (backup center).

In Feb 2007, the company announced a plan to merge with rival Sirius. The merger was approved in Jul 2008. XM is then a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sirius.

In 2016, 2 satellites to replace XM 3 and XM 4 were ordered from SS/L to be launched in 2019 and 2020 (20 kW power)

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Contact

XM Satellite Radio Inc. (formerly AMRC)
1250 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
Tel: 202-969-7100
Fax: 202-969-2050
http://www.xmradio.com/

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