US lawmaker urges more conditions on XM-Sirius deal

A key U.S. lawmaker called for regulators to impose tougher conditions on Sirius Satellite Radio Inc's acquisition of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. WASHINGTON - A key U.S. lawmaker called for regulators to impose tougher conditions on Sirius Satellite Radio Inc's acquisition of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. Rep. Edward Markey, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, said the Federal Communications Commission should go beyond requirements that FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has already proposed the agency impose on the companies. Markey said his conditions are needed to protect consumers and help ensure that free, over-the-air radio remains a viable business. "I believe that such an extraordinary (satellite radio merger) request compels the commission to adopt several extraordinary... [read full story]