jeff(at)westcottpress.com
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 Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:20 am Post subject: FCC Comments regarding Lightsquared and GPS interference |
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LightSquared: Did White House Pressure General Shelton to Help Donor? - The Daily Beast
Interesting article on Lightsquared and politics...
I don't mean to set off a firestorm of political debate here (though I expect it)
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On Jul 18, 2011, at 6:14 AM, Tim Olson wrote:
[quote]--> RV10-List message posted by: Tim Olson <Tim(at)myrv10.com (Tim(at)myrv10.com)>
The FCC has an open comment period now for this whole
Lightsquared mess. Here's the link, and you enter 11-109
in the proceeding number field.
This is something that affects us all, in a huge way,
so If you care anything about your navigation using
GPS, just take the time to at least put in some small
comment regarding the situation. Perhaps explain
that GPS is of so great core importance that no
broadband internet or any other service should be
allowed to infringe even slightly on GPS coverage.
Tim
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http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/begin?procName=&filedFrom=X
AEA: Defend GPS, Submit Comments Now
The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) is urging -- and guiding -- GPS users to actively participate in defending GPS from the potential interference of proposed wireless broadband services. AEA's concern is a reaction to the efforts of a company called LightSquared, which is seeking to construct a nationwide infrastructure to support wireless broadband on radio frequencies adjacent to those used by GPS. Tests have shown that implementation of the system can cause interference with GPS and the FCC is seeking public feedback on those results. Toward that end, AEA has provided guidelines and advice for delivering your message to the FCC prior to the agency's looming deadline.
To access the FCC's electronic Comments Filing System, click here. Find the box that says "Proceeding Number" and type 11-109. You'll then be required to enter identifying information into the form and add your comments. AEA encourages commenters to supply information on how they use GPS and what would happen if GPS became unavailable or unreliable. AEA suggests including comments that state LightSquared's operations and GPS are fundamentally incompatible and the FCC should order LightSquared out of the frequency currently being considered for use. AEA stipulates that wireless capacity is important, but says it should not come at the expense of GPS, "which is critical to our country's economy." While the issue is clearly important to pilots, it may be worth noting that GPS is an important, if not vital, resource for a wide range of users ranging far beyond pilots and the military, to drivers and life-saving activities. The deadline for comments is July 30.
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GPS A Side Issue In High-Stakes Broadband Battle
Although the FCC's rulemaking process is nowhere near finished on the LightSquared/GPS issue, LightSquared's multi-billion-dollar business plan appears to be unaffected by the nagging details of regulatory approval and the potential destruction of the GPS system. According to CNET, Sprint, Nextel and LightSquared are about to announce a blockbuster partnership that will allow Sprint to migrate its service to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) broadband service that LightSquared is offering and is apparently the next big thing in wireless. In exchange, LightSquared gets the use of the 40,000 cell towers (remember those 40,000 towers?) that Sprint already owns for a rental fee of about $2 billion a year. What's significant for those who care about GPS in all of this is that the interference that's been clearly demonstrated is a side issue in high-stakes intrigue that may alter the broadband services landscape considerably.
The broadband publications are abuzz with suggestions that hedge fund guru Philip Falcone's venture into the wireless business hasn't gone through normal channels and that the political impetus will make it hard to stop. According to Bloomberg Falcone was bragging about the deal to investors in his Harbinger Capital Partners fund that the deal was done on June 15. That was the date LightSquared was supposed to have submitted a report to the FCC regarding potential interference with GPS but instead asked for an extension. By early July, the report had been submitted and it was clear that interference was an issue but LightSquared answered in news releases that it would alter its plans to minimize GPS interference. Meanwhile, the FCC is taking comments on the LightSquared proposal.
--
Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD
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