Testing Shows LightSquared's Network Messes with GPS
Jun 1, 2011, 12:27 PM by Eric M. Zeman
A preliminary report has found that using L-Band spectrum, as LightSquared hopes to for its forthcoming Long Term Evolution network, does in fact interfere with neighboring GPS services. The findings spell trouble for LightSquared. In January, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that LightSquared could use its L-Band spectrum for terrestrial purposes if it could prove it wouldn't interfere with GPS systems. Public safety and other agencies in the test region of New Mexico indicated that their GPS systems were disabled and/or knocked out as far away as 20 miles from a single LightSquared tower. LightSquared wants to install more than 36,000 towers across the U.S. to deliver wholesale LTE broadband services. "LightSquared and GPS can and will be able to coexist peacefully," said Jeff Carlisle, LightSquared's executive vice president for regulatory affairs and public policy. "We're committed to identifying and resolving the issues through this process." The company is scheduled to deliver a final report to the FCC on the matter later this month. If the interference issues cannot be resolved, it puts LightSquared's business in jeopardy.
Comments
Good-Bye Light Squared and...
This is more reason to understand that a carrier can't just waltz into this industry and perform a start up to compete against the top two. There is very little spectrum left and ATT wants to grab the last of it from T-mobile.
Those for this merge, gravely misunderstand the detrimental effects of it.
John B.
