WorldSpace Satellite Radio has received approval from Swiss authorities to operate terrestrial repeaters to boost its subscription-based satellite radio services throughout Switzerland.
WorldSpace Satellite Radio will use the 12.5 MHz of L band frequency for satellite radio in Europe; the company plans to begin satellite/terrestrial hybrid services on the continent in 2009, starting with Italy, as well as in the Middle East in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
"We are very pleased at the efficiency with which the OFCOM has granted us this approval," said Noah A. Samara, Chairman and CEO of WorldSpace Satellite Radio. "As we begin planning the content line-up for our Italian launch and subsequent European markets we hope to secure shortly, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and France, we hope to be able to parlay our unique variety of news, sports, music and entertainment programming into a line-up that is equally attractive to Switzerland s diverse cultures."