Washington - Jun 8, 2007 - On March 20, 2007, Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio submitted applications seeking consent to transfer control of its FCC licenses and authorizations pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger from Feb. 19, 2007. On June 8, the FCC opened the application for comment, which is the first step of the FCC's consideration process. The FCC has accepted the consolidated application for approval of the transfer of control of the licenses and authorizations.

Petitions to deny, comments, or informal comments must be filed by July 9, 2007. Responses or oppositions to such submissions must be filed by July 24, 2007. Filings should refer to MB Docket No. 07-57.

Last week's headlines were full of statements of opposition to and support of the proposed merger, and it was still uncertain as to when the FCC would begin the review process. Some forecasters believed that the FCC would wait until the Department of Justice approved the merger before acting.

The FCC move at least moves the process forward instead of letting it sit while speculation and assumption run rampant. Many voices gave already spoken on the issue, and these groups will surely file comments in the coming days.