Page "XM Satellite Radio" Paragraph 5

To receive satellite radio programming, a customer is required to purchase a receiver.

Prices range from less than $ 50 to over $ 200.

With a service commitment, it's possible to get a simple receiver for free.

Monthly packages start at US $ 12. 95 / month with add-on " family " radios at US $ 8. 99 / month.

Best-of-Sirius is available on US accounts for an additional monthly fee.

Lifetime packages are also available ( USA only ).

Channel quality is two flavors, stereo music channels at 39 kbit / s and mono talk channels at 16 kbit / s using proprietary compression.

Many subscribers have complained about the low quality of satellite radio sound.

But providers have stuck with the plan for more channels instead of better quality.

HD terrestrial digital radio, a competitor has always used this difference as a selling point.