The Sirius system is supported with three satellites by Loral with digital technology by Lucent .   The Sirius satellites are in elliptical orbits.  This provides good continuous coverage throughout North America as long as some support is provided from ground repeaters.  Because the Sirius space constellation is more robust than that of XM, which uses two satellites in geostationary orbits, fewer ground repeaters are required.  While this may, at first, not seem like much of an advantage, Sirius is less likely to be affected by the legal issues associated with IB 95-91 and UWB .  The first of the Sirius satellites was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in mid-2000.  Their constellation was completed in early 2001.  

Both Sirius and XM are in a dispute with Fusion Lighting over their microwave-powered light bulbs. Apparently their product is capable of interfering with satellite radio transmissions, something that might give pause to potential satellite radio customers. In addition to competing with satellite radio in the legal arena, terrestrial broadcasters appear ready to pursue their own flavor of digital transmissions. Known as in-band on-channel (IBOC) terrestrial radio, the new service should be ready for prime time in 2003 thanks to a new chipset by Texas Instruments . CommVerge magazine reviews this exciting new technology that promises to offer some serious competition to satellite radio. The Toronto Star has also reviewed this new development.

A complete review of the technology has been conducted by the IEEE .  

STMicroelectronics is producing the next generation chipsets for Sirius.  The advanced chipset is expected to result in lower costs, improved performance and enhanced features for systems planned for release late in 2005.  "STMicroelectronics is a global enterprise with a very strong reputation in the automotive and entertainment industries, as well as in consumer electronics," said Sirius boss Joe Clayton, heralding the new agreement in April 2004.