XM and Sirius file FCC papers

Washington (DC) - About a month after Sirius announced that it was planning to acuire rival satellite radio company XM, the two have now officially submitted the necessary paperwork to complete the merger.

In the 60+ page report, XM and Sirius dismiss concerns over antitrust issues by saying that other radio choices provide alternatives to satellite.

In the filing, the two companies wrote, "The merger will not harm competition in any market, because a combined satellite radio provider will have no market power, let alone be able to dominate the market."

In a separate statement, the radio service providers commented on HD radio as being the most viable competitor. "HD radio on the AM/FM bands provide a real alternative to satellite ... the current audio entertainment market is broad, robust and competitive," they said.

Upon completion of the merger, XM and Sirius have previously said that the new service would be re-named and consumers will have two levels of service from which to choose.