VANCOUVER, British Columbia—XM Canada is teaming with Canadian operator Telus Mobility to deliver real-time streaming satellite radio to mobile subscribers.
Telus users with a Spark 25 data package can access 20 channels of commercial-free music, talk and comedy for no charge, and other subscribers can add the mobile music offering to a voice plan for $15 a month. The service is available on the LG Electronics Co. Ltd. 8100 and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. A950 handsets; each phone sells for $100 with a three-year contract.
“The launch today represents the first time that satellite radio will be distributed in partnership with a wireless provider in Canada,” said Stephen Tapp, chief operating officer of XM Canada.
The move is an early step into wireless by the satellite radio industry. Sirius Satellite Radio currently offers 20 channels of programming through Sprint Nextel Corp. in the United States, and XM Satellite Radio Corp. is said to be considering opportunities to enter the U.S. wireless market.
XM Canada is a subsidiary Canadian Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and the exclusive Canadian licensee of XM Satellite Radio Corp.