As the proposed satellite radio merger of Sirius and XM drags on, Ibiquity and the HD Digital Radio Alliance have added their voice to the filings. Ibiquity has no formal stance on the merger itself, but says that a condition of the merger would be to require that all future combined-mode satellite radio receivers must also have HD Radio capability.

A mandate such as this would certainly help put HD Radio receivers on the street.

Some argue that this mandates a privately developed technology to be used in consumer products. This would obviously benefit Ibiquity. On the other hand, a satellite radio receiver is already loaded with private-interest technology that benefits the satellite radio providers.

If adopted by the FCC, the requirement would likely help HD Radio adoption. Still, if the consumer wants to buy a satellite radio receiver, that’s his choice. He shouldn’t be forced to pay for something he may not want.

What’s your view?