Domain: lightsquared.com
Stories and comments across the archive that link to lightsquared.com.
Comments · 4
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What technology?
Did these guys have any significant technology? (Just askin, I really don't know. Even the Lightsquared Faq is fairly useless at explaining what they have that hasn't been done before)
And if they did, why not move it somewhere else to some radio spectrum where it will not interfere, such as, but not limited to some of the bandwidth Verizon is finding un-useful in the 700mhz band that they can't pawn off on anybody.
It seems to me that the only problem they had was a dependence on the wrong block of spectrum. On the other hand, any company that wants to push ahead with a spectrum usage with total disregard for existing spectrum use and the safety concerns of the entire GPS community probably isn't a company you want setting up this type of service in the first place.
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Re:Other Motivation?
Maybe if GPS manufacturers hadn't disregarded the DOD requirements on GPS, the technology wouldn't mess with your GPS http://m.lightsquared.com/press-room/press-releases/gps-industrys-failure-to-comply-with-department-of-defense/
Imagine I bought a timeshare for 2 weeks a year and noticed that nobody was using the week after mine and I started planning 3 weeks stays. A few years down the road, somebody else shows up and wants to stay during that third week. What right would I have to be pissed?
Personally, I'm more concerned to find out that it's apparently really easy to knock out military GPS.... It seems like somebody would want to fix that rather than complain about spectrum usage. Just my 2 cents. -
OK, but LightSquared: (GPS units subject to RFI)
Many GPS units do not have adequate filtering against RF interference from adjacent spectrum. LightSquared owns 1500Mhz spectrum that it wants to use for terrestial LTE networks. Currently it interferes with GPS, but it is really the GPS's industry's fault, not LightSquared. The implication is that we may have to re-buy much of the GPS units we now own, because current units will be worthless when LTE turns on their LTE network. The FCC is trying to figure out how to solve this problem, but it seems inescapable that at least partial blame is with the GPS industry.
In short, LightSquared claims that the GPS industry is ignoring the Department of Defense's recommended filtering standards, as well as ignoring the International Telecommunications Union's international standard for GPS receivers and transmitters. According to the DoD recommendations, GPS systems are supposed to employ filters to make sure GPS signals don't interfere with adjacent spectrum. The ITU's standard calls for a 4MHz guard band between GPS and the nearest spectrum.
The GPS industry has a responsibility to use its licensed spectrum in accordance with international and federal government standards – not for LightSquared’s sake, but for the sake of the American people who own the public airwaves and who fund the GPS satellite system.
"The GPS industry benefits from an estimated $18 billion taxpayer subsidy to offer a commercial service that is completely dependent on a government satellite system. Despite the federal handout, they have deliberately ignored Defense Department criteria for using the restricted system,” Carlisle said. “LightSquared remains committed to working in partnership with responsible members of the GPS industry and for the benefit of the public by creating good-paying jobs and economic opportunity at a time when America desperately needs both.”
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The real story is LightSquaredMetroPCS is not going to launch their own 4G network.
Read up on the wholesale LTE network LightSquared is contracting Nokia Siemens to build ($7 Billion contract). This is the main reason Nokia Siemens is in the process of buying the Motorola infrastructure division.
I'm surprised this hasn't been on Slashdot already.