LightSquared files revamped GPS report with FCC
updated 02:40 pm EDT, Thu June 30, 2011
LightSquared submits new GPS report to FCC
Wireless telecommunications start-up LightSquared on Thursday filed a report with the FCC that details any potential interference issues its launch would have with existing GPS services, according to a Thursday report. The GPS community opposes LightSquared's plans to build a high-speed wireless network. LightSquared has promised to use a different batch of airwaves that it says would eliminate 99.5 percent of the interference problems found in tests.
LightSquared maintained the interference problems are a result of the GPS manufacturers' design of products "that depend on using spectrum assigned to other FCC licenses." A new proposal from the company would affect only 200,000 GPS devices out of the nearly 300 million in total. It also promised not to start the service unless the FCC and other government agencies were happy that the interference issues are addressed.
The GPS community against the project includes aviation navigation and public safety systems, among others. US government officials required LightSquared to do more testing.
If or when these issue are resolved, the start-up would also require billions of dollars in additional funding above the $3.1 billion its backer, Harbinger Capital hedge fund, has already committed to it.
LightSquared told investors it made a deal with Sprint to share its wireless broadcast towers and thereby reduce network construction costs, although Sprint hasn't confirmed nor denied this statement.
