[Satellite TODAY 01-27-11] Sirius XM Radio filed a request with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to not extend its subscription price cap on the company’s satellite radio service beyond July 2011, which was negotiated as part of the July 2008 merger that formed the company, Sirius XM announced Jan. 26.
    In the filing, Sirius XM said it wants to raise its $12.95 basic monthly subscription price for its 19.8 million customers, but did not specify the amount of the rate hike.
    Sirius XM, which agreed to lock price rates for three years following its merger, said it faces considerable competition from terrestrial radio and Internet music services such as Pandora and Rhapsody and that carmakers are now offering Web-based entertainment as standard features in their cars.