XM’s Second Satellite ‘Roll’ Begins Broadcasting; Both Satellites are Operating Perfectly

XM Satellite Radio’s
second satellite, “Roll,” has been formally handed over to XM by Boeing
Satellite Systems and has begun broadcasting.
Roll has reached its final
position in geostationary orbit at 85 degrees West Longitude.

XM took possession of Roll Thursday afternoon, after the spacecraft
completed in-orbit testing.
The satellite, launched May 8, is performing
beyond expectations — like “Rock” — and has begun broadcasting XM’s channels
as part of the preparation for XM’s commercial launch later this summer.

Rock has been at its final position at 115 degrees West Longitude since
last month.
By using two powerful satellites, each with the same nationwide
coverage, XM will ensure maximum signal and system reliability.

“XM’s space infrastructure is complete.
We have groundstations uplinking
our original content, fully operational tracking stations and two satellites
operating perfectly,” said Derek de Bastos, XM’s Vice-President, Space
Segment.

All three XM satellites — “Rock,” “Roll,” and a spare which is built and
in its final testing phase — are Boeing 702 models, manufactured by industry
leader Boeing Satellite Systems, a unit of the Boeing Company.
The
XM spacecraft carry a unique digital audio radio payload built by Alcatel
Space Industries.
The payload features two active transponders, each with 16
active (and six spare) 228-watt traveling wave tube amplifiers generating
approximately 3,000 watts of RF signal power, making it the most powerful
commercial satellite ever built.

XM will transform radio, an industry that has seen little technological
change since FM, almost 40 years ago.
XM will create and package up to 100
channels of digital-quality sound and provide coast-to-coast coverage of
music, news, sports, talk, comedy and children’s programming.
The company
recently announced an agreement with MTV Networks to create two 24-hour
channels under the MTV and VH1 brand names.
XM won several awards at the
International Consumer Electronics Show in January, including “Best of CES” in
the automotive category.

XM’s strategic investors include America’s leading car, radio and
satellite TV companies — General Motors, American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Clear
Channel Communications, DIRECTV and Motient Corporation .
XM
has a long-term distribution agreement with General Motors to integrate XM-
ready radios into its vehicles commencing in 2001.
XM-ready radios are being
manufactured by such household names as Sony, Alpine, Pioneer, Clarion,
Blaupunkt, Delphi-Delco, Visteon, Panasonic, and Sanyo.
For more information,
please visit XM’s website: http://www.xmradio.com .

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements in this press release include uncertainties
associated with the launch of the company’s satellites, the company’s
dependence on third party vendors, its continuing need for additional
financing, as well as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings
Inc.’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 2-22-
2001.
Copies of the filing are available upon request from XM Radio’ s
Investor Relations Department.