# XM and Sirius merge, pending govt approval

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/xm-and-sirius-merge-pending-govt-approval/24817>\
**Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\
**Created:** [February 19, 2007, 11:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/xm-and-sirius-merge-pending-govt-approval/24817 "2007-02-19T23:59:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 18

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**Author:** ![neurokinetik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/neurokinetik/32/7270_2.png) [@neurokinetik](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neurokinetik)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2007, 2:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/xm-and-sirius-merge-pending-govt-approval/24817/18 "2007-02-21T14:24:14Z")

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How is it a monopoly? Nobody is stopping anyone else from launching a satellite and starting their own service. This is different than the situation we have with cable and telephone, where one provider owns the entire infrastructure and it would be cost-prohibitive to start your own. Think it couldn’t happen? Sirius did it when XM was the only game in town, and now their marketshare is close to 50%.

Plus as long as commercial radio exists, there is still competition. You either choose to pay for satellite service, or not pay, and listen to about 50% less actual content on commercial radio. A monopoly means you have no choice. Even cable is not a monopoly, as nothing is stopping anyone from going to a DBS setup.

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