It’s an Interoperable Satellite Radio receivers. For the consumer, it would be the ultimate in flexibility: the ability to buy a single radio and choose between Sirius or XM as you desire. But it’s just a dream, right? That’s what is being suggested by Michael Hartleib in a series of communications to the FCC. Hartleib defines an “Interoperable Radio” as a receiver with chipsets that can process signals from either Sirius or XM, and “would require some type of switching mechanism to move between one service provider to the other.” Think of it like switching between AM and FM. While in AM, you can only listen to AM stations, and while in FM you can only listen to FM stations. Easy concept right?

Then there’s a “Dual Mode Radio.” Dual Mode Radios have chipsets that can receive and process both XM and Sirius satellite signals, simultaneously, “therefore giving consumers continuous access to ALL satellite radio channels.” Another easy concept to digest. In one hand you have Interoperable, which switches between services; and in the other you have Dual Mode, which mashes them all together at once.

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