The invention of radio was a landmark in the world of broadcasting. In today’s digital age, satellite radio has ushered in a new era of radio communications. This type of radio has revolutionized the industry and changed the way that people listen to the airways.
It works by sending a digital radio signal to a communications satellite. As a result, satellite covers a wider area than traditional radio signals, which typically span only 30 to 40 miles from their source. In contrast, satellite transmits its signal more than 20,000 miles away from its source. The quality of satellite radio broadcasts is also superior to that of terrestrial radio, since the signal is digital.
There are two main subscription satellite services that are currently available: Sirius XM and 1worldspace. In 2008, the two separate satellite radio companies of Sirius and XM merged to form Sirius XM Radio. The companies have not yet fully integrated, however, since they rely on different hardware and software systems. For example, XM uses two Boeing HS 702 satellites, while Sirius uses three SS/L-1300 satellites. The farthest-reaching satellite radio company remains 1worldspace, although their coverage does not yet extend to the United States. The company currently operates with three geo satellites.
Much like satellite television, subscribers pay a fee to obtain satellite services from their car or from their home. They must also purchase a receiver in order to gain access to satellite radio channels. Many automobile manufacturers now include satellite radio receivers in the dashboard of new vehicles along with terrestrial radio antenna; in addition, many car companies offer a one year free trial of satellite services as part of their incentive for purchasing a new vehicle. In recent years, portable music devices have also begun to offer satellite radio services.






