FCC Fines XM, Sirius About $20 Million for Past Violations

The Federal Communications Commission fined XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio about $20 million for past technical violations, in what may be the final step before approving the companies' merger. XM was fined $17.5 million and Sirius $2.2 million for violations regarding their use of certain radio receivers and terrestrial repeaters that did not comply with the agency's technical rules. Agency officials say they are "optimistic" that an agreement could be reached soon to approve the merger. The enforcement of the past offenses was an issue that Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate had pushed before she would agree to the merger. Robert Kenny, an FCC spokesman, said she had urged the companies be fined $8 million. After his own review of the violations, Martin increased the amount