I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that I received a bit of static from LightSquared as a result of my last post about possible air navigation issues announced by the FAA around Las Vegas while tests were being conducted to measure the potential for interference to GPS functions. LightSquared is working very hard to enable a terrestrial broadband capability while at the same time conducting damage control resulting from concerns expressed publicly by Federal agencies other than the FCC who have a different view of the merits of the decision making process, and the risks associated to GPS operations if extreme care is not imposed on potential spectrum use. I suspect that this is one of those rare occasions where a little increase in the noise floor is a big deal. These other agencies are formidable, including the Departments of Transportation, Defense and Homeland Security. I’m just one voice who believes that conducting appropriate technical due diligence in advance and transparency are necessary attributes to developing sound national telecommunications policy. You can ignore me for sure, and perhaps you can circle back at a later date and meet with those whose opinions count within DOT, DHS and DOD. But there must be a heightened sense of urgency to respond to 33 U.S. Senators who, jointly in a letter to FCC Chairman Genachowski on May 19, requested that the “Commission require LightSquared to demonstrate non-interference of GPS as a condition prior to any operation of its proposed (terrestrial) service,” and further, that “the Commission rescind LightSquared’s waiver until this demonstration can be made.” It would seem difficult to spin this bi-partisan communication in a positive light. Ok, 56 leading Americans signed the Declaration of Independence. But 33 Senators all on the same hymn sheet is meaningful.