LightSquared Solution to GPS Issue Will Clear Way for Nationwide 4G Network
Written by LightSquared
Monday, 20 June 2011
RESTON, Va., June 20, 2011
-- LightSquared, the nation's first wholesale-only
integrated wireless broadband and satellite network, today outlined a
comprehensive solution to the problem of interference with Global
Positioning System (GPS) receivers. This solution will permit
LightSquared to proceed with its business plan, 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.
"This is a solution which ensures that tens of millions of GPS users
won't be affected by LightSquared's launch. At the same time, this plan
offers a clear path for LightSquared to move forward with the launch of
a nationwide wireless network that will introduce world class broadband
service to rural and underserved areas which still find themselves on
the wrong side of the digital divide,'' said Sanjiv Ahuja, LightSquared Chairman and CEO.
Results of Testing
Early test results indicated that one of LightSquared's 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's Plan
After assessing this information, LightSquared immediately began
developing an alternative deployment plan focused on the lower block of
spectrum to launch its nationwide wireless broadband service. It also
entered negotiations with Inmarsat, the satellite company that controls
the alternative block of spectrum in the L Band, to accelerate the
schedule for LightSquared to begin using the frequencies.
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.
This new plan will give LightSquared enough spectrum to serve its
growing customer base for the next several years. During this time,
LightSquared will not use the spectrum it originally planned to use for
the launch of its network.
LightSquared will use this time to work closely with the FCC and the
NTIA, as well as the relevant US government agencies and commercial GPS
users, to explore mitigation possibilities and operational alternatives
that will allow LightSquared to continue to expand its business and
serve American consumers' increasing need for wireless broadband
services which are so critical to the development of a 21st century
economy. At the same time, LightSquared is committed to protecting GPS
services, which have become indispensible to millions of Americans.
LightSquared believes that its next-generation, 4G LTE wholesale
network can live harmoniously, side-by-side, with GPS users.
Enlightened and responsible spectrum management will give the American
public the best of both worlds a world class wireless broadband
network and a GPS service that continues to enrich and protect our
lives. With this plan, LightSquared has taken a giant step toward that
goal.
About LightSquared
LightSquared's mission is to revolutionize the U.S. wireless
industry. With the creation of the first-ever, wholesale-only
nationwide 4G-LTE network integrated with satellite coverage,
LightSquared offers people the speed, value, and reliability of
universal broadband connectivity, wherever they are in the United States.
As a wholesale-only operator, LightSquared will deploy an open 4G
network to be used by existing and new service providers to sell their
own devices, applications, and services at a competitive cost and
without retail competition from LightSquared. The deployment and
operation of LightSquared's network represents more than $14 billion of private investment over the next eight years. For more information about LightSquared, please go to www.LightSquared.com.
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