Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Ralph Hall Statement on FCC Decision Regarding GPS Interference

Washington D.C. – Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Ralph Hall (R-TX) and Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Paul Broun (R-GA) today released the following joint statement after an announcement by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that they intend to suspend LightSquared LLC’s conditional waiver to operate a ground-based network that could interfere with the Global Positioning System (GPS).

The recent decision by the FCC to suspend LightSquared’s conditional waiver to operate as a ground-based network is the right decision. Rigorous testing found that the network would interfere with GPS – especially high-precision receivers used by the scientific community. Opening up more spectrum for broadband remains a national interest, but not at the expense of GPS. This is, however, a two way street. GPS receiver manufacturers, users, and agencies also have to be mindful that spectrum scarcity will continue to be a challenge and must work together to efficiently utilize spectrum. Thankfully, the FCC’s decision will help ensure that the United States maintains its leadership in positioning, navigation, and timing.”

The Science, Space, and Technology Committee held a hearing on September 8, 2011 that highlighted the impacts of the proposed LightSquared network on federal science activities.

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 2321 Rayburn House Office Building. Washington, DC 20515. Phone: 202-225-6371, Fax: 202-226-0113.

Sam Graves statement FCC to block LightSquared’s broadband network due to interference with the Global Positioning System

Graves Applauds FCC’s Decision To Block Lightsquared, Washington, Feb 15 -

House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) issued the following statement on the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to block LightSquared’s planned broadband network due to its interference with the Global Positioning System (GPS):

“Broadband investment provides substantial benefits to both consumers, small business owners, and the overall economy particularly in e-commerce, agriculture, education, health care, and other sectors. But our position has always been that Lightsquared’s plans should not be approved unless tests proved no interference for GPS devices. Interference of the GPS signal would have cost American small businesses billions of dollars to retrofit their current devices – adding yet another significant cost burden that would cause more harm to our already unstable economy. I hope that technology continues to be developed in a way that addresses the GPS interference concern on behalf of the many small businesses that rely on them, and that we can find a way to have a win-win on this issue.”

Chairman Graves led a hearing on this issue on October 12, 2011. Chairman Graves has also encouraged the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the FCC to perform extensive testing to prove non-interference with GPS devices.

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Contact: DJ Jordan, Wendy Knox 202-225-5821

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: House Small Business Committee 2361 Rayburn House Office Building (RHOB) Washington, D.C. 20515. Phone: (202) 225-5821, Fax: (202) 226-5276.