"It's a terrestrial or cell tower in the sky," TerreStar president Jeffrey Epstein said. "That's the game-changing paradigm we're bringing."

If all goes according to plan, TerreStar will launch the satellite that will host its upcoming service today from French Guiana. The $300 million satellite will sit 22,000 miles above the earth's surface and provide coverage across the United States and Canada, including Puerto Rico and Hawaii. After a few months of testing, TerreStar intends to commence service later this year.

Until now, satellite phones have been bulky devices known for their large antennas. That's because for a satellite phone service to connect properly there needs to be a large antenna on the ground or a large satellite parked in the sky. In an attempt to attract customers with a pocket-sized phone that they could carry anywhere, TerreStar opted for the latter with its upcoming service. With a 65-foot span, TerreStar's new bird will be the largest-ever commercially launched satellite, about twice the size of typical TV service satellites.

TerreStar is hoping to first address a market of federal agencies and emergency first-responders who need to know that they'll always have service, even in the event of a Katrina-like disaster that knocks out cell towers on the ground. If there's an emergency or a major event in one part of the country, TerreStar will be able to adjust its coverage so that, say, an area in Arizona has enough capacity to support increased phone traffic. The company's larger ambition is to build a market for its satellite phone among mainstream consumers, but TerreStar has not yet announced how much it will charge for the service.

Analysts say that TerreStar's success isn't a given. After all, other companies in the past have tried and failed to bring satellite phone service to mainstream consumers.

"I'm a little bit of a skeptic on this," said Edward Jurkevics, principal analyst at Chesapeake Analytics in Arlington, who pointed to early satellite phone industry failures such as Iridium and Globalstar.

Jurkevics questioned the size of the market that might be interested in this product. "It think it's a niche play," he said. "Their revenue prospects are modest. If you're a geologist out in the wilds of nowhere, you still need a connection, but that's not a big a piece of pie."

TerreStar will soon face competition in this space; Reston-based satellite firm SkyTerra plans to launch two satellites next year and a similar service.

SkyTerra's executive vice president of distribution and strategy, Marc Montagner, said that having two players in the market will serve to lower device prices and raise consumer awareness. "It can only be a good thing," he said.

While TerreStar is working on a second smartphone that will also be compatible with the satellite service, the company hopes to build enough customer interest to prompt phone makers to start developing phones for use with the service, said David Marshack, senior vice president of product and device technologies.

The company tried to develop its satellite technology so that it would be easy for phone makers to jump in with their own devices in the future. For example, the chip used in the phone is the same as the one used in Apple's popular iPhone, which means that Apple wouldn't have to start from scratch if, say, the company wanted to make an iPhone compatible with the service.

There's no telling if that will happen, Marshack said, but "that idea was not lost on the people who designed this."
source: www.washingtonpost.com

"The evolving nature of telecommunications and merging of internet and entertainment services has left many Oregonians confused about who to turn to for help when they have billing or service quality issues" Oregon Public Utility Commission Chairman Lee Beyer said. "The PUC has a long history of helping consumers resolve these types of complaints and we look forward to continuing our work with the Attorney General to find solutions to these complex issues."

Dish was the subject of about 80 complaints to the Oregon Department of Justice in 2008 - 7 percent of the 1,189 complaints about telecommunications companies by Oregon consumers.

The settlement resolves the states' allegations including that DISH Network:

* Refused to accept responsibility for the misconduct of its third-party retailers and installers;

* Made telemarketing calls to consumers in violation of do-not-call rules;

* Failed to disclose all terms and conditions of their customer agreements, including the availability of rebates, credits and free offers;

* Did not disclose that purchased or leased equipment was previously used and/or refurbished;

* Made reference to competitors' price offers when the goods or services being compared were materially different; and

* Charged customer credit cards and debited bank accounts without providing adequate notice and obtaining appropriate authorization.

Dish will pay a total of $5.99 million in the 46-state settlement.

Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department's mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.
source: kohd.com

I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & PRODUCT DEFINITIONS

Study Reliability and Reporting Limitations I-1 Disclaimers I-2 Data Interpretation & Reporting Level I-3 Quantitative Techniques & Analytics I-3 Product Definitions and Scope of StudyI-3

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW II-1 IntroductionII-1 Current and Future Analysis II-1 Analysis by Subscribers and Sites II-1 Analysis by Annual Revenues II-2 Market Awaits for ViaSat-1 with Great Optimism II-2 Satellite Broadband - Bridging the Digital Divide II-2

2. TRENDS AND ISSUES II-4 Terrestrial Alternatives to Give Stiff Competition II-4 Rural Broadband - Gaining Momentum II-4 Collaborations to Expand Adoption of Satellite Broadband Services II-4 Factors Driving Demand for Broadband Satellite Systems II-5 Increased Bandwidth Levels Propel Demand for Video on Demand Services II-5 Small Businesses - Potential Market Segment for Satellite Services II-5 Satellite Broadband CPE Pricing TrendsII-6 Governments Drive Demand for Broadband to Reach Rural Areas II-6 Australia II-6 Brazil II-6 Colombia II-7 Canada II-7 The US II-7

3. COMPETITION II-8 HughesNet and WildBlue - Competing for the Top Spot II-8 WildBlue Satellite - An Attractive Alternative for Potential Consumers II-8 Package Offerings of Leading OperatorsII-8

Table 1: Comparison of Services for Leading Satellite Broadband Companies II-8 Prominent Satellite Broadband CPE II-9

4. INTERNET BROADBAND OVERVIEW II-11 Global Internet Broadband Market II-11

Table 2: Global Internet Broadband Market (2007): Percentage Share Breakdown of Subscriptions by Region for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Rest of World (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-11

Table 3: Global Internet Broadband Market (2007): Percentage Share Breakdown of Subscriptions by Technology for DSL, Cable Modem, FTT and Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-11 Broadband Subscribers by Country II-11

Table 4: Top Ten Countries in the World with Highest Number of Internet Broadband Subscriptions in Thousands (2007) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-12

Table 5: Top Ten Countries in the World with Highest Internet Broadband Penetration Rate (2007) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-12

5. PRODUCT OVERVIEW II-13 Broadband Internet AccessII-13 Satellite Technology II-13 Satellite Communications II-13 Advantages II-13 Disadvantages II-14 Types of Satellites II-14 Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Satellite II-14 Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Satellite II-14 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite II-14 Broadband Satellite Services II-15 Advantages of Satellite-Based Broadband Services II-15 Economies of Scale II-15 Far-Reaching Coverage II-15 Uninterrupted Communication II-15 Rapid Pace in Deployment II-16 Bandwidth on Demand II-16 Availability of Asymmetric BandwidthII-16 Easy Execution II-16 Utilization of Resources II-16 Disadvantages II-16 Applications of Broadband Satellites II-17 End-Users II-17 Types of Satellite Broadband Access II-17 One-Way Satellite Connection II-17 Two-way Satellite Connection II-17 VSAT II-18 Satellite IP Trunking and BackhaulingII-18 Satellite Broadband Frequencies II-18 Ku-Band II-18 Ka-Band II-18 Ka-Band Vs. Ku-Band II-19 Characteristics of Ku Band and Ka BandII-19 Satellite Transmission Standards II-19 Digital Video Broadcasting-return Channel via Satellite (DVB -RCS) II-19 Internet Protocol over Satellite (IPoS)II-20 Satellite-Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (S-DOCSIS)II-20

6. BROADBAND TECHNOLOGIES II-21 Digital Technology - The Differentiating Factor II-21 Categorization of Broadband TechnologiesII-21 Fixed Line Technologies II-21 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) II-21 Asymmetric DSL (ADSL) II-21 G.lite (ADSL) II-22 Single Pair High-Speed DSL (SHDSL) II-22 Symmetrical DSL (SDSL)II-22 ADSL2 II-22 Very-High-Data-Rate DSL (VDSL) II-22 ISDN II-22 ISDN-BRI II-23 ISDN-PRI II-23 Cable Internet II-23 Multilinking Modems II-23 T-1/DS-1 II-24 Fibre Network II-24 Fibre To The Home (FTTH) II-24 Power-Line Internet II-24 Wired Ethernet II-25 Wireless Technologies II-25 Cellular Broadband II-25 Wireless ISP II-25

7. SERVICE LAUNCHES II-26 BeyondDLS to Introduce Satellite-Based Broadband Service II-26 France Telecom Launches Satellite Internet Services in France II-26 KVH and ViaSat Introduce mini-VSAT Broadband Satellite Services II-26 Gilat Launches New VSAT Satellite Platform II-26 Hughes Network Rolls Out HughesNet Broadband Backup Service II-27 Hughes Network Unveils Advanced Wideband CDS II-27 Hughes Network Introduces ElitePremium Internet Access Plan II-27 Hughes Network Unveils Superior Mobility Features for HX System II-27 Al Yah Plans to Release ‘YahClick’ Broadband Service II-28 IDMI to Roll out DVB S2 SCPC Broadband Platform II-28 Intelsat Launches Galaxy 18 Satellite II-28 Numix Engineering and Telekom Malaysia Unveil 2-Way Broadband Service II-28 SingTel Launches Satellite-Based Maritime Broadband Service II-29 Spacenet Releases Connexstar™ in Hawaii and Alaska II-29 Spacenet Unveils ION™ VSAT Solution II-29 Stratos Launches ‘OceanVSAT’ II-30 Arianespace Launches Spaceway 3 Communications Satellite II-30 China Transportation and Telecommunication Center Unveils ‘ Fleet Broadband’ II-30 Comsat Starts Satellite Broadband in Venezuela II-30 Hughes Launches Satellite Broadband Internet ServicesII-31 Intelsat Rolls Out Network Broadband GLOBAL Maritime Service II-31 Phoenicia Group Libya to Offer BGAN Satellite Internet Solutions II-31 Shin Satellite to Commence IPSTAR Services II-31

8. RECENT INDUSTRY ACTIVITY II-32 SpeedCast and Eutelsat Collaborate with FURUNO II-32 Hughes Network Signs Broadband Reseller Agreement with Broad Sky Networks II-32 Eurosat and SES Astra Collaborate to Offer Satellite Broadband Services II-32 Hughes Communications Takes Over Helius II-33 iiNet Acquires Westnet II-33 Hughes Network and Barrett Xplore Sign Contract Agreement II-33 Hughes Network Opts MicroCorp as Certified Reseller for HughesNet Services II-33 FASTWEB Inks Deal with Eutelsat II-33 Hughes Network Signs Distribution Agreement with Dow Electronics and CVS Systems II-34 Orion Satellite Buys Broadband Satellite Technology from Hughes Network II-34 Eutelsat Signs Agreement with Numeo to Expand its Tooway™ Services II-34 Avanti Enters into Strategic Partnership with BT Group II-35 Arianespace Signs Launch Service & Solutions Deal with ViaSat II-35 SES Astra Signs Contract to Introduce Astra2Connect in Italy and France II-35 ViaSat Enters into Agreement with Space Systems/LoralII-35 Embarq Inks Reseller Agreement with Hughes Network Systems II-36 Intelsat and Panasonic Sign Multi-Year Contract II-36 EchoStar Signs Deal with SkyWay USA II-36 Hughes Adds Capacity on Intelsat’s Galaxy-28 Satellite II-36 Thaicom and WIT Team Up to Offer Broadband Services in the PhilippinesII-37 Lunasat Partners with SATLYNX to Offer Broadband Services II-37 SkyVision Inks Agreement with IntelsatII-37 WildBlue Enters into Agreement with DataPath II-37 Nextphase Wireless Enters Into Reseller Alliance with Hughes Network II-38 Avanti Signs Pact with Remote Data Services II-38 Avanti Offers Satellite Broadband Services to Prime Satellite Broadband II-38 Hughes India Inks Contract with Comat II-38 Tatanet Opts Gilat to Provide Broadband Satellite Network II-38 Primus and Hughes Network Execute Reseller Agreement II-38 Hughes Network Inks Distribution Agreement with All Systems II-39 ViaSat Secures US$50 Million Contract from Skylogic II-39 Space Systems/Loral Receives Satellite Manufacturing Contract from SES II-39 Juch-Tech Partners with Skyway.Net II-39 Avanti Receives Satellite Broadband Deal in Scotland II-39 General Electric Acquires Satlynx II-40 Nayna Networks Takes Over Professional Satellite & Communications II-40 AsiaSat Acquires SpeedCast II-40 Eagle Broadband Takes Over Commercial Satellite Business of Alliance II-40 Loral Skynet Merges with Telesat Canada II-41 Eutelsat Collaborates with ViaSat for Residential Satellite Broadband Service II-41 Dodo and NewSat Collaborate II-41 Hughes Network Signs Contract with Max Telecom II-41 Verizon Expands Satellite Broadband Services Access II-41 Galaxy Receives Hughes Network’s Broadband Satellite System II-42 Telesat Canada Selects International Datacasting Corporation II-42 ABS Signs Agreement with Batelco II-42 iPass Inks Deal with Inmarsat II-43 Shin Satellite Extends Broadband Services to Japan and South Korea II-43 RamTelecom Enters into Strategic Partnership with SkyPort II-43 SES Astra Collaborates with Filiago II-43 ViaSat Inks Contract with WildBlue II-44 AFSAT Contracts Extra Capacity on NSS-7 Satellite II-44 Telenor Extends Contract with IntelsatII-44 SES Astra Takes Over Satlynx II-45 Intelsat Acquires PanAmSat Holding Corporation II-45 Satlynx Takes Over Spaceline II-45 Digiweb Purchases Tiscali’s Satellite Broadband Business II-45

9. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS II-46 Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (Hong Kong) II-46 Crawford Communications, Inc. (US) II-46 Eutelsat Communications (France) II-46 Globecomm Systems, Inc. (US) II-47 Hughes Network Systems, LLC (US) II-47 Intelsat, Ltd. (Bermuda) II-47 KT Corporation (South Korea) II-48 Loral Space & Communications, Inc. (US) II-48 Telesat Canada (Canada) II-48 Optus (Australia) II-49 Satlynx (Luxembourg) II-49 SES S.A. (Luxembourg) II-50 SES AMERICOM, Inc. (US) II-50 SES ASTRA S.A. (Luxembourg) II-51 SES NEW SKIES (The Netherlands) II-51 Skyway.Net GmbH (Germany)II-51 SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings, Inc. (Japan) II-51 Spacenet, Inc. (US) II-52 Tachyon Networks, Inc. (US) II-52 Thaicom Public Company Limited (Thailand) II-52 IPSTAR Co., Ltd. (Thailand) II-53 ViaSat, Inc. (US) II-53 WildBlue Communications, Inc. (US) II-54

10. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVEII-55

Table 6: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Broadband Satellite Services by Geographic Region - North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (including Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with Number of Subscribers and Sites in Thousands for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-55

Table 7: World 10-Year Perspective for Broadband Satellite Services by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Number of Subscribers and Sites for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (including Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets for Years 2006, 2009 & 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-56

Table 8: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Broadband Satellite Services by Geographic Region - North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (including Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-57

Table 9: World 10-Year Perspective for Broadband Satellite Services by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Annual Revenues for North America, Europe, Asia- Pacific (including Japan), Latin America and Rest of World Markets for Years 2006, 2009 & 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-58

III. MARKET

1. NORTH AMERICAIII-1 A.Market Analysis III-1 Current & Future Analysis III-1 North America - Leads the Global Satellite Broadband Services Market III-1 Competitive Scenario III-1

Table 10: Comparison of Services for Leading Satellite Broadband Companies in North America III-2 Satellite Broadband Internet Services - Still a Long Way to Go III-2

Table 11: US Broadband Internet Services Market (2008): Percentage Breakdown of Number of Subscriptions for Cable Modem, DSL, Satellite and Other Terrestrial Wireless (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-3 Service Launches III-3 Strategic Corporate Developments III-6 Select Players III-11 Crawford Communications, Inc. (US) III-11 Globecomm Systems, Inc. (US) III-11 Hughes Network Systems, LLC (US) III-12 Loral Space & Communications, Inc. (US) III-12 Telesat Canada (Canada) III-12 SES AMERICOM, Inc. (US) III-13 Spacenet, Inc. (US) III-13 Tachyon Networks, Inc. (US) III-14 ViaSat, Inc. (US) III-14 WildBlue Communications, Inc. (US) III-14 B.Market Analytics III-15

Table 12: North American Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Broadband Satellite Services Market Analyzed with Number of Subscribers and Sites in Thousands for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-15

Table 13: North American Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Broadband Satellite Services Market Analyzed with Annual Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-15

2. EUROPE III-16 A.Market Analysis III-16 Current & Future Analysis III-16 Ka-Band Subscribers to Drive Future Growth III-16 New Initiatives to Propel Momentum in European Broadband Satellite Market III-16 SES ASTRA Vs. Tooway III-17

Table 14: Comparison of Services for Leading Satellite Broadband Companies in Europe III-17 Internet Broadband Scenario in Europe III-17

Table 15: Top Ten European Countries with Highest Number of Internet Broadband Subscriptions (2007) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-18

Table 16: Top Ten European Countries with Highest Internet Broadband Penetration Rate (2007) (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-18 DSL Broadband Services Scenario in Europe III-19 Broadband Internet - The UK Perspective III-19 Broadband Penetration in the UK III-19

Table 17: UK Internet Services Market (2006-2008): Percentage Breakdown of Internet Connections for Broadband and Dialup Services (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-20 Service Launches III-20 Strategic Corporate Developments III-21 Select Players III-26 Eutelsat Communications (France) III-26 Satlynx (Luxembourg) III-26 SES S.A. (Luxembourg) III-27 SES ASTRA S.A. (Luxembourg) III-27 SES NEW SKIES (The Netherlands) III-28 Skyway.Net GmbH (Germany) III-28 B.Market Analytics III-29

Table 18: European Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Broadband Satellite Services Market Analyzed with Number of Subscribers and Sites in Thousands for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-29

Table 19: European Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Broadband Satellite Services Market Analyzed with Annual Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart)III-29

3. ASIA-PACIFIC III-30 A.Market Analysis III-30 Current & Future Analysis III-30 Asia-Pacific - Lags Behind North America and EuropeIII-30 Competitive Landscape III-30

Table 20: Comparison of Services for Leading Satellite Broadband Companies in Asia-PacificIII-31 Broadband Subscribers Overview III-31 Internet Scenario in Asia-Pacific III-31 China Surpasses US to Become Largest Internet Subscriber Base III-32 Indian Broadband Scenario III-32 Service Launches III-33 Strategic Corporate Developments III-34 Select Players III-36 Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (Hong Kong) III-36 KT Corporation (South Korea) III-36 Optus (Australia) III-36 SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings, Inc. (Japan) III-37 Thaicom Public Company Limited (Thailand) III-37 IPSTAR Co., Ltd. (Thailand) III-38 B.Market Analytics III-38

Table 21: Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Broadband Satellite Services Market Analyzed with Number of Subscribers and Sites in Thousands for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-38

Table 22: Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Broadband Satellite Services Market Analyzed with Annual Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-39

4. LATIN AMERICAIII-40 A.Market Analysis III-40 Current & Future Analysis III-40 Service Launches III-40 Strategic Corporate Developments III-41 Intelsat, Ltd. - A Major Bermudan Player III-41 B.Market Analytics III-42

Table 23: Latin American Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Broadband Satellite Services Market Analyzed with Number of Subscribers and Sites in Thousands for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-42

Table 24: Latin American Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Broadband Satellite Services Market Analyzed with Annual Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-43

5. REST OF WORLDIII-44 A.Market Analysis III-44 Current & Future Analysis III-44 Africa III-44 Africa Emerges as Hotspot for Satellite Broadband III-44 Expansion of Cellular Services in Rural Areas Drive Growth III-44 ‘Open Skies’ Model to Generate Interest Among Market Participants III-45 Service Launches III-45 Strategic Corporate Developments III-46 B.Market Analytics III-47

Table 25: Rest of World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Broadband Satellite Services Market Analyzed with Number of Subscribers and Sites in Thousands for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-47

Table 26: Rest of World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for Broadband Satellite Services Market Analyzed with Annual Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2006 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-48
source: www.businesswire.com

Both offerings fall short, albeit in very different ways. The Sirius XM app is missing top draw Howard Stern, and play-by-play broadcasts of Major League Baseball, the National Football League and NASCAR races.

Meanwhile, HD coverage on the Insignia in the outskirts of New York City, where I tested, was poor. Tune in for details:

•Insignia. If you want to sample HD radio, the Insignia radio is small, light and cheap. Just maintain modest expectations.

Until now, to listen to HD radio, you needed a special unit for your home, car or boat. None of the 100-odd receivers on the market was the type you'd carry in your pocket. That changes with the Insignia, the house brand of Best Buy. And Microsoft has said it's adding HD radio to the next Zune player, due in the fall.

There are more than 2,000 AM and FM stations around the USA broadcasting in HD. Broadcasters can "multicast" or compress a digital signal so that FM stations can offer one or more subchannels at the same frequency. For example, you can tune into 95.5, 95.5-2 or 95.5-3, and hear different content on each. AM stations can't be split into subchannels.

Alas, the Insignia radio doesn't include its own AM band, because producing a portable with good AM quality is difficult. Zune won't have it, either. For AM junkies, some stations broadcast a digital version of their AM channels on an FM subchannel.

For example, WXRK-HD (92.3) in New York is a Top 40 radio station owned by CBS Radio. A subchannel, WXRK-HD2 (92.3-2), plays newer rock, while WXRK-HD3 (92.3-3) plays WFAN-AM, an all-sports station.

My experience with HD was spotty. When you tune into a station, you'll first hear it broadcast for a few seconds in standard FM. You'll hear the sound improve when the HD kicks in, though the effect isn't that dramatic. Worse, in some of my test areas, I either couldn't get an HD signal or got one that faded intermittently. Song names are displayed on the Insignia screen, but you can't tag them to buy later on iTunes, as is possible with other HD radios.

The Insignia has 10 memory presets for storing favorite stations. It comes with an armband and so-so earbuds. There's no built-in speaker. You charge it on a computer via USB since there's no wall plug. The battery lasts 10 hours. You can connect the radio to your car stereo with an optional cable.

•Sirius XM. I've been a satellite radio convert ever since XM Satellite Radio arrived in 2001. XM and Sirius Satellite Radio merged about a year ago. I've been eagerly waiting for an iPhone version.

But many subscribers are bound to be disappointed. While there's tons of good stuff among the 120 channels on the app — Sirius Sinatra, Classic Vinyl, Oprah Radio and Mad Dog Radio (sports talk), to name a few — you can't help notice what's missing, notably Stern and the ballgames.

It's not as if this comes cheap: $12.95 a month (which also lets you stream channels on a computer). And if you already pay $12.95 to listen on a dedicated Sirius XM radio, you have to pay an extra $2.99 a month to also listen on the iPhone or Touch.

Moreover, Sirius XM comes when there's already good Internet radio on the iPhone; free and fee-based apps I use include AOL Radio, Pandora, Slacker, iHeart Radio, Tuner, vTuner and WunderRadio.

On the Sirius XM app, it's easy to find stations by category and see what's playing on the channels you're not listening to. You can add channels to a favorites list and tap on a song you're listening to, to buy it (if available) in iTunes.

It takes a bit longer to switch channels than I'd like. And I occasionally lost a signal as I drove around, likely network hiccups. For the most part, the audio quality was good, though it can degrade under a cellular network as opposed to when you're using the app with Wi-Fi.

Having Sirius XM on the iPhone is really convenient. It's a shame that for what you pay, you can't get the complete Sirius XM lineup.
source: www.usatoday.com

Don't Let Your Family Suffer From Your Slow Internet Connection...

Here's How to Rapidly Take Advantage of Affordable High Speed Satellite Internet, Starting TODAY:

The first thing you need to do is come to terms with exactly how and why a faster internet connection will help you and your family. I understand that it can be stressful to examine (or even think about) your satellite internet options, but we need to compare technologies and service providers...

We need to develop a clear picture of where you're at right now, so we can develop a battle plan for getting connected to the internet faster. Do this for you - and do it for your family. Follow these steps to make you're life easier:

1. Face Reality

Add it all up. Right now, while you're on this page. No matter how much it may "hurt", I assure you, the frustration you might be feeling at the moment will be nothing compared to buying a satellite internet service that doesn't meet your expectations and then having to cancel service and return all the electronics only to find out you have to pay cancellation fees and restocking fees...

2. Negotiate for FREE Installation

Many people don't realize that one of the most effective negotiation strategies for free satellite internet installation is to actually ask for it. While many satellite internet providers may tempt you with discounts and renting versus buying, there are advantages that we have negotiated for you. Most satellite internet providers would rather make a deal with you than see you stick with dial up service and lose out entirely).

3. Pay Less for High Speed Satellite Internet

The key is to obtain the fastest high speed satellite internet at the lowest possible price. Talking directly with the service providers is the best possible way to get fast, cheap satellite internet and is a very smart move. This means that each month, your satellite internet service will be one low, monthly payment and include monthly or annual increases.

4. Coverage Matters

In today's virtual world, you can now get fast satellite internet virtually anywhere that you are located within the United States. This means, very simply, that if you are located 10 miles outside of the "grid", you can still sign up for satellite internet and, as long as you have a building to put your satellite on, you can have satellite internet anywhere.

If you don't believe it, you should consider this, for the longest time, oil rigs in the gulf of Mexico had no communication with the outside world, other than to be flown to the rig itself, but now, with the advances of satellite internet and it's ability to go anywhere, both companies and consumers are not only able to have satellite internet, but phone and television service as well - all in a discount bundled package.

We aren't just talking about your run of the mill slow dial up service, either. Satellite internet boasts a fast connection, with the ability to download and email quickly. No more waiting to find out if there is a problem on your with your dial up connection, you can now log on with the click of a mouse and instantly communicate with the rest of the world in lightening speed. This is both great news for many businesses and consumers who, in the past, couldn't do online business as quickly as the rest of the world because of their remote locations.
source: www.satelliteinternet.net