SIRIUS to Increase Programming Capacity Over Its Existing Satellite Radio
System
New Modulation Technology Will Initially Increase Current System
Capacity by Approximately 25%, Enabling SIRIUS to Expand Offering of
Audio, Data and Video
Services While Maintaining Broadcast Quality
NEW YORK, June 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq:
SIRI) today announced that it has developed a new, advanced proprietary
technology that will initially increase the company's total network
capacity by approximately 25% within its existing digital transmission
system. The technology, known in the industry as hierarchical modulation,
will allow SIRIUS to offer additional audio channels, as well as advanced
services such as data and video, without affecting the quality of its
broadcasts.
"Our new modulation technology will use a very innovative approach
to increase the number of bits we transmit through our satellite and
terrestrial repeater networks, enabling us to increase the effective use
of our currently licensed spectrum to add additional programming for the
benefit of our subscribers," said Jim Meyer, SIRIUS President, Sales
and Operations. "Sirius will continue to deliver uncompromised sound
quality, and with this new technology we will retain the flexibility to
expand our broadcasts even further in the future."
The technology, developed by SIRIUS' Advanced Development Team based in
Lawrenceville, NJ, will work over SIRIUS' current network, with minimal
upgrades to its satellite uplink and terrestrial repeater infrastructure.
SIRIUS has already conducted several tests of the technology to confirm
the performance.
The new modulation technology will not impact the customer experience
of existing SIRIUS radios sold or currently on the market. Future SIRIUS
radios will be outfitted with the new technology, making it possible for
them to receive the additional services planned.
"Since our inception, it has been SIRIUS' goal to combine the most
cutting-edge technology with the best in creative programming," said
Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS President, Entertainment and Sports. "This
technological advancement is validation of SIRIUS' ability to excel in
both areas of expertise, and to provide our subscribers with innovative
services and a unique entertainment experience."
SIRIUS is currently working with its silicon partners to integrate the
advanced modulation technology into its chipsets. The company expects to
begin offering services using the new technology in the second-half of
2006.
SIRIUS delivers more than 120 channels of the best commercial-free
music, compelling talk shows, news and information, and the most exciting
sports programming to listeners across the country in digital quality
sound. SIRIUS offers 65 channels of 100% commercial-free music, and
features over 55 channels of sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic
and weather for a monthly subscription fee of only $12.95. SIRIUS also
broadcasts live play-by-play games of the NFL and NBA, and is the Official
Satellite Radio partner of the NFL.
SIRIUS radios for the car, truck, home, RV and boat are manufactured by
Alpine, Audiovox, Blaupunkt, Clarion, Delphi, Jensen, JVC, Kenwood,
Pioneer, Sanyo and XACT Communications. Available in more than 25,000
retail locations, SIRIUS radios can be purchased at major retailers
including Best Buy, Circuit City, Crutchfield, Office Depot, Sears,
Target, Wal-Mart and RadioShack. SIRIUS is also available at heavy truck
dealers and truck stops nationwide.
SIRIUS radios are currently offered in vehicles from Audi, BMW,
Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti, Jeep(R), Lincoln-Mercury, Lexus, Mazda,
Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Nissan, Porsche, Scion, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.
Hertz currently offers SIRIUS at major locations around the country.
Click on http://www.sirius.com to listen to SIRIUS live, or to find a
SIRIUS retailer or car dealer in your area.
Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to,
expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, future events or
performance with respect to SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc. are not historical
facts and may be forward-looking and, accordingly, such statements involve
estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results
to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking
statements. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their
entirety by reference to the factors discussed in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Among the key factors that have a direct bearing
on our operational results are: our dependence upon third parties,
including manufacturers of SIRIUS radios, retailers, automakers and
programming partners, our competitive position and any events which affect
the useful life of our satellites.