Save our GPS.org - LightSquared

[Bill Root]

I'm starting a new thread on this topic in the hope that those who have not re-visited the old thread will take a look at this one.

SaveourGPS.org is a coalition of interested parties dedicated to making sure that the LightSquared proposal is not approved until they can demonstrate definitively that it will not interfere with GPS communications. There are two pieces of legislation in the House of representatives that would prohibit LightSquared from moving forward with their plan, and prohibit the FCC from authorizing any further activity on the part of LightSquared until they have developed a solution to the problem that has been reviewed and approved by Congress. They are HR 1540 and HR 2434.

I would urge everyone to contact their representative and ask them to support HR 1540 and HR2434. It is clear that LightSquared has a considerable investment in their technology based on preliminary positive support from the federal government. They are not going away quietly. I would also suggest that you may want to go to the SaveourGPS.org qwebsite and sign up for updates. They are a non-profit, non-contributory organization funded by the GPS industry.

One of the biggest concerns now seems to be that LightSquared will come up with some type of
fix that looks good at first and allows them to get FCC approval to move forward, but ends up causing havoc during implementation and a huge taxpayer expense to remedy. No-one needs that.

Thanks for your consideration.

 

[MikeP]

More info here:

http://www.pnt.gov/interference/lightsquared/

 

[MarioG]

Isn't that traitor George Soros a big investor in LightSquared? heads up guys...

 

[OBXTucker]

"until they have developed a solution to the problem"

That's why they got the other company to solve the problem by developing new antennas. If the entire world goes out and retro fits all existing GPS, problem solved.

These guys are well financed, well connected and aren't going away quietly....

 

[MarioG]

Soros Surfaces on the Edge of White House Controversy Involving LightSquared

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...n-edge-white-house-controversy/#ixzz1YppruPor

 

[Canuck Dennis]

I am surprised that the Airline Pilots Assoc. is not up in arms over this one as it may have an effect on airline safety operations.

 

[rsmith]

I am surprised that the Airline Pilots Assoc. is not up in arms over this one as it may have an effect on airline safety operations.

For the most part they dont use GPS, since most major airports still use VOR ILS and the airway system is defined by VOR's. Would it suprise you to know most of our military aircraft still use Vietnam era INS systems and pilots are encouraged to bring their own civilian GPS systems?

 

[Bill Root]

My only point here is that there are some very big bucks behind the LightSquared initiative, so if we want to avoid problems and potential costs to us that could be caused by their proposal we need to make our voices heard. The FCC seems to be supportive of LightSquared, which means Congress is the only group that has the power to keep them from moving forward until all the potential issues with their system are resolved.

 

[Trojan]

There was an article just the other day where the FCC was not going to allow it if it were to cause any interference with any other equipment. There may be big money developing this system, but there is bigger money trying to stop it. I'm not going to worry about it. It's going to be sidelined just like broad band.

BILL

 

[OBXTucker]

Need to keep this thread alive.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/20...-back-lightsquared-records-lawmaker-says.html

Also:
Lightsquared Threatens Suit
LightSquared says it will take legal action if the FCC rejects its plan to build a nationwide wireless broadband system in the U.S. that the GPS industry and Department of Defense says will interfere with GPS signals. In its most aggressive move so far, LightSquared wrote a letter (PDF) to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski reiterating the company's position that the faulty design and performance of the majority of GPS receivers is responsible for the interference detected in a series of tests earlier this year. LightSquared then called a news conference to throw down the legal gauntlet. "If it is impossible to get a decision on this that allows us to go forward, I think our way forward is pretty clear, that we then have to insist on our legal rights," LightSquared VP of Government and Regulatory Affairs Jeff Carlisle is quoted by ExecutiveGov as telling reporters. "If you have to be the bad guy, and go out and start … insisting on your property line, well, then that's what we'll do." The FCC has ordered more testing and the results are due Nov. 30. As we reported in June, Genachowski assured Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the FCC "will not permit LightSquared to provide commercial service until it is clear potential GPS interference concerns have been resolved." In its most recent letter to Genachowski, LightSquared makes it clear it expects the GPS industry to modify its equipment to ensure it doesn't allow signals from outside the frequency ranges assigned to GPS to interfere with their operation. There are about 500 million GPS-reliant devices in use in the U.S. LightSquared has admitted that a small percentage of them, mostly high-performance measuring and timing devices, are legitimately interfered with by its signals and says it hired an engineer to design a cheap and simple fix for those units.

 

[Bill Root]

Thanks, Jeff. Like we both said, they aren't going away quietly. I hope all interested yachtsmen contact their congress persons to express their concern.