Interoperable Technologies
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Founded in 2003, Interoperable Technologies is a limited-liability company (LLC) working to create a "dual-mode" satellite radio receiver that is capable of accessing both services operating in North America. It is a joint venture of both XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio, and is based in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
As reported by Orbitcast in June 2006, a prototype was developed in 2005, and is expected to come to market later in 2006. The chipset would be used in all new receivers, so that consumers could subscribe to either one or both. Users could then listen to both just as they listen to both AM and FM, and would not have to change receivers when changing services. The total number of channels available on the two services together is about 300.
It was speculated at the time that this could be a precursor to a merger of the two companies. This later proved to be true when they announced just such a plan in February 2007. If the two are allowed to carry the same programming by merging channels with duplicate formats, the dual-mode receivers would allow the combined company to eventually migrate to one technical platform instead of two. However, the deal would violate FCC regulations (and possibly anti-trust laws) in the U.S. and would require a waiver, and may also face reconsideration by the CRTC in Canada.
Currently, both services use proprietary transmissions, neither of which are compatible with the standard DAB used elsewhere by companies like WorldSpace.
