The Cell Phone Junkie

In conjunction with the NTIA, the FCC filed a report this week stating their intention to reject LightSqured’s application to build a 4G LTE network in the L-Band spectrum. According to the NTIA:

“LightSquared’s proposed mobile broadband network will impact GPS services and that there is no practical way to mitigate the potential interference at this time.”

The FCC also commented, stating:

“NTIA … has now concluded that there is no practical way to mitigate potential interference at this time. Consequently, the commission will not lift the prohibition on LightSquared. The commission clearly stated from the outset that harmful interference to GPS would not be permitted.”

LightSquared responded, saying it “profoundly disagrees” with the NTIA’s recommendation, but “remains committed to working towards a resolution.”

The Wall Street Journal says that with the news, LightSquared will now look at alternative plans, such as a spectrum swap. LightSquared has invested $4 billion in its network to date.

Press Release (Lightsquared):

RESTON, Va., February 14, 2012 – In response to the NTIA’s recommendation to the FCC today regarding LightSquared’s network, the company said it remains committed to finding a resolution with the federal government and the GPS industry to resolve all remaining concerns. LightSquared is confident that the parties will continue the on-going efforts to explore all engineering options and alternatives to find a solution to this difficult issue.

The NTIA’s recommendation relied on the flawed conclusions of the PNT ExCOM about LightSquared’s potential impact on GPS.

LightSquared profoundly disagrees with both the NTIA’s and the PNT’s recommendations, which disregard more than a decade of regulatory orders, and in doing so, jeopardize private enterprise, jobs and investment in America’s future. NTIA relies on interference standards that have never been used in this context, and were forced by the GPS community in order to reach the conclusions presented today. This, together with a severely flawed testing process that relied on obsolete and niche devices, shows that the FCC should take the NTIA’s recommendation with a generous helping of salt. Despite LightSquared’s success in finding technical solutions and the acknowledgement by a senior government official that GPS receivers are specifically designed to rely on spectrum licensed to LightSquared, it is extremely disappointing that this recommendation was made today.

LightSquared recognizes, however, that this is just one step in the process, and it remains committed to working toward a resolution. The final regulatory decision rests now with the FCC, which is the proper authority to resolve this issue. The company fully expects the agency to recognize LightSquared’s legal rights to build its $14 billion, privately financed network. There is no question that an America where both the GPS industry and LightSquared’s network can co-exist is a stronger one for any administration that believes in competitive markets and job growth.

Source: WSJ, NTIA via Phonescoop