33 senators have written a letter to the FCC chairman, calling on the commission to rescind LightSquared’s ATC licence to operate due to its interference of GPS signals.
The letter, signed by 25 Republican senators and 8 Democrats, also called on the FCC…
33 senators have written a letter to the FCC chairman, calling on the commission to rescind LightSquared’s ATC licence to operate due to its interference of GPS signals.
The letter, signed by 25 Republican senators and 8 Democrats, also called on the FCC to demand that LightSquared demonstrates “non-interference of GPS” before it starts operating.
The letter stated: “We have substantial concerns that LightSquared’s proposal places an unacceptable risk to public safety through interference to GPS receivers necessary for aviation, first responders, agriculture, construction, maritime navigation, E-911, and national defence systems.”
The news came after early-field tests with LightSquared’s technology suggested dangerous disruptions of GPS frequencies.
In a letter to federal officials on 11 May, the programme director for the 911 emergency system in the state of New Mexico said that “the LightSquared network will cause interference to GPS signals and jeopardise 911 and public safety nationwide”.
LightSquared has been filing reports to the FCC on the GPS interference issue since March. The FCC granted the company an ATC licence waiver in January, allowing it to deploy terrestrial services on the condition that it resolved the reported issues with GPS interference.
LightSquared is due to file a final report on the GPS interference issue on 15 June.
In response to the senators’ letter, LightSquared’s executive VP of Regulatory Affairs said that GPS is a vital service to the US and that LightSquared is committed to identifying and resolving any interference problems.
Jeff Carlisle said that over 100 engineers from various industries (including representatives of public safety networks) were now working on the issue.
He added: “Consumers and businesses want more capacity and competition in wireless broadband and the LightSquared network delivers that. The FCC has said that we need more capacity and competition in wireless broadband, and has charged LightSquared and the GPS industry with resolving interference concerns so we can move forward together safely.”
LightSquared has said previously that it will only begin operations when the government is satisfied over the GPS concerns.
By 2015, it aims for its network to cover 92% of the US population.
LightSquared is backed by New York-based hedge fund Harbinger Capital Partners.
The FCC did not reply to questions before the press deadline.
