Light Squared Petition Ruling Moves One Step Closer

In 2011, LightSquared requested the Commission to “resolve the regulatory status” of commercial Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, to the extent their operations may be impaired by the ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) of LightSquared’s licensed operations in the 1524-1559 MHz Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS) band. LightSquared has requested specific declarations designed to establish that commercial GPS devices are not entitled to interference protection from LightSquared’s operations, as long as those operations occur within the technical parameters prescribed by rule and Commission Order.  The U.S. GPS Industry Council (USGIC) previously requested that the Commission issue a statement noting that the GPS community is not required to share responsibility for resolving interference issues with MSS ATC providers like LightSquared.  Their petition, which is still pending, contends that MSS licensees providing ATC service are required to protect GPS receivers from interference caused by such terrestrial operations, and that the Commission has declared that the MSS licensees are obligated to resolve harmful interference. Comments are due on February 27th.  Public Notice