Germany OKs WorldSpace bid for satellite radio

WorldSpace Satellite Radio, a provider in satellite based digital radio service, announced its wholly owned subsidiary, WorldSpace Europe, received approval from Germany's Federal Network Agency, the Bundesnetzagentur, to use 12.5MHz of spectrum on a nationwide basis for the operation of a terrestrial repeater network in Germany, a Wireless News report said.

The Wireless News report said the repeaters will work in conjunction with WorldSpace's existing satellite network to provide German consumers with a subscription-based satellite radio service in cars.

This authorization from the Bundesnetzagentur, makes Germany the third European nation to enable satellite radio in cars.

WorldSpace expects to secure licenses in additional countries before the end of the year.

The company continues to build solid momentum toward a pan-European mobile satellite radio service and has a plan to deliver its service to Germany, Italy and Switzerland with its existing in-orbit satellite network.

Germany has the largest automobile market in Western Europe, with an average of 3.4 million cars sold ever year over the past 16 years.