A group of representatives from ATA to GAMA announced Thursday they have formed the “Coalition to Save Our GPS” from the potential threat of interference from 4G broadband signals. The FCC in January granted to LightSquared a waiver that allows the company to build 40,000 ground-based broadband transmission stations if it can demonstrate the stations won’t cause harmful interference. The coalition says the move reverses the process of test first, approve next, and has put forth a series of recommendations to provide “additional safeguards.”
The coalition recommends the FCC clarify that LightSquared can only pursue its project if a mandated study shows the 4G signals have no harmful effects on GPS reception. It suggests the FCC stop LightSquared from investment in the 4G system until the FCC makes a final decision on the matter, that the terms of approval stipulate that the issue is resolved to the satisfaction of GPS users and providers, that resolution be the sole obligation of LightSquared and not impose cost on the GPS community, and that public comments be accepted for at least 45 days after a report is produced on the interference study. Learn more at SaveOurGPS.org.
