LightSquared Fiasco Puts Harsh Spotlight on FCC's Genachowski

National Legal & Policy Center ^ | February 15, 2012 | Peter Flaherty

[too_cool_for_skool]

Would this require every weapons system now in use in the U.S. arsenal that relies on GPS, to upgrade it's GPS receiver? Would civilian GPS receivers also be required to be upgraded? Would this cost very much, do you think?

Either way someone's paying a cost. Lightsquared is probably going to go bankrupt and lose a couple billion dollars over this if they can't turn on their system.

And you're going to be paying a cost with your continued $100 phone plans and capped data transfers if terrestrial L-band remains closed off.

And just for full disclosure, I have no financial or political interest in Lightsquared. It just rubs me the wrong way that a new wireless system is getting torpedoed because an existing system was incorrectly designed.

[jazusamo]

I'm no electrical engineer nor do I understand much of the problem. I do understand that LightSquared (Falcone) had to get a conditional waiver from the FCC but had to prove GPS jamming wasn't an issue, they couldn't do that.

FCC May Kill LightSquared's Plans for Wireless Revolution

I also know from reading that Falcone made donations to Obama and Democrats for expedited approval. What was their hurry? I can't feel too sorry for a company going bankrupt (if in fact they do) that was trying to pull off a scam to make millions if not billions and using political connections to do it.

Politically-connected LightSquared Pushes Wireless Internet Plan despite GPS Interference Concerns

They were fully aware of the problems but tried to get away with it but were nailed.

[Daaave]

I just read your links ('LightSquared Fiasco' post #22).

Thank you for posting them, and the original story also. All were very interesting reading.

[dynoman]

The frequencies the company LS bought were never intended to be used by ground based “re-transmitters” screaming right next to GPS satellite whispers.

Read; http://nlpc.org/stories/2011/02/02/did-harbinger-hedge-fund-buy-influence-white-house-probe-asked-fcc-spectrum-givea

This is a perfect example of crony capitalism.

[jazusamo]

You’re most welcome, it’s good they were shut down and should have been sooner.

I posted a short article late yesterday afternoon that says LightSquared is going to fight this decision but I believe it’s just bluster on their part.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2847030/posts