LightSquared proposed a solution to the problem of interference with Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. This solution will permit LightSquared to proceed with its business plan. The company asserts that this plan will protect the public’s stake in GPS and lay the foundation for the future co-existence of a variety of wireless broadband services and GPS.
Specifically, LightSquared is proposing to use only a specific block of its allocated frequencies which does not pose interference with GPS. LightSquared will also reduce the maximum authorized power of its base-station transmitters by over 50%.
The company said that “testing has shown that only one of its 10MHz blocks of frequencies poses interference to many GPS receivers. This block happens to be the specific set of frequencies that LightSquared planned to use for the initial launch of its nationwide wireless broadband network.
Based on those same early test results, LightSquared determined that another 10MHz block of the spectrum did not create such an interference risk. This block is lower on the spectrum band and located further away from the GPS frequencies, greatly reducing the risk for interference.
Test results show this lower block of frequencies is largely free of interference issues with the exception of a limited number of high precision GPS receivers that are specifically designed to rely on LightSquared’s spectrum. In its original plan, LightSquared planned to move into this other frequency block as its business grew over the next two to three years.”
LightSquared recently reached an agreement with Inmarsat that will allow the rollout of its wireless network in a timeframe that keeps to the original business plan and is in accordance with regulatory requirements. As part of this revised plan, LightSquared will modify its FCC license to reduce the maximum authorized power of its base-station transmitters by over 50%. This action will limit LightSquared to the power it was authorized to use in 2005, which will provide additional protection to GPS.
The company believes this new plan will give it enough spectrum for the next several years,http://www.lightsquared.com
