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Technology Stocks : Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Sam Citron who wrote (1166)	12/4/2004 1:12:54 AM
From: i-node	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 8420

How many channels can they support at present? How difficult (expensive)would it be for them to apply technology to multiply their bandwidth? They're both about maxxed out. It isn't the number of channels -- it is the bandwidth required at any particular instant. Bandwidth can be dynamically allocated among the channels. So, for the talk channels they don't require as much bandwidth as for the music channels, and even the older music (like the 50s) they can get by with less bandwidth than with Classic Rock or classical. Adding bandwidth is very difficult. There is only so much spectrum, and they would have to first acquire more spectrum (which doesn't seem likely at this point from what I've been told), then you'd have to have the hardware. Basically, I don't think they'll be adding bandwidth anytime soon. There may be some branching out via Internet streaming (as XM is doing with its new channels). But they can't add much music without further compromising sound quality.