XM Satellite weather on hold

By Kevin Psutka

In my column from March 2007, entitled "Who’s on First" (See www.copanational.org/non-members/PresidentsColumn/Presmar07.htm), I explained why we did not yet have XM Satellite weather service available in Canada.

Since that time, COPA has been encouraging the Canadian provider, XM Satellite Radio Canada to get the service released here. This effort culminated with a test launch of the service a few months ago, as reported in the November COPA Flight.

However, we recently found out the service is no longer available in Canada, so we contacted XM. Shira Yoskovitch, XM’s director, product development and supply, gave the following update on March 11.

"XM Canada recently determined it would be best to end the test-launch of the service, while we continue to work out some issues. While no current customers of the Aviator services in Canada are affected by this decision, we are not, at this point in time, adding new customers onto the Aviator packages.

"We hope to offer a full launch of the Aviator service plans (including Aviator, Aviator Pro and Aviator LT) in the future. Unfortunately at this time I don’t have a specific date for re-launch, although we do target 2008.

"When we launched in Canada we only offered the (combined) Aviator + Audio options. The COPA team was quick to point out the error of our ways on this, and as a result of their feedback at the start of February we implemented Aviator stand-a-lone packages in both the three month and 1 year lengths. In addition, COPA also provided feedback with regards to our general pricing on Aviator products, and so we also took steps to correct those.

"I will be posting updates to our website (www.xmradio.ca) as they become available regarding the launch of this product, and I will also ensure to update the COPA team."

So, although Canadian weather and radar is available to U.S. subscribers to the service and a few Canadians who subscribed during the test launch period, it will be some time until it can be purchased in Canada. Stay tuned to the XM Canada website.