Email

In the continuing war between the GPS industry, attempting to sell GPS tracking devices, and LightSquared, trying to make the task of building a 4G LTE network a little easier, a special committee has decided they see “no practical solutions or mitigations” that will keep both parties happy.

LightSquared is attempting to save the cost of building a network from scratch, asking the FCC to use part of the spectrum that is currently designated for satellite communications, and just outside of the spectrum granted to GPS devices of all kinds. It will save LightSquared a boatload of money when all is said and done, but the GPS industry is up in arms as numerous tests have determined implementing the network will cause interference with GPS tracking devices. The different devices, in order to work, search not only their own designated spectrum, but nearby spectrums as well. LightSquared says this is the fault of GPS device manufacturers, designing systems which pinpoint GPS coordinates in an inefficient manner.

The National Space-Based Positioning Navigation and Timing Committee reviewed the case and decided there is really no way to make this work. In testing conducted in December 2011, it was discovered the proposed 4G LTE network caused 75 percent of GPS tracking devices to fail due to interference. After testing, a report was released stating “LightSquared signals caused harmful interference to majority of GPS receivers tested. No additional testing is required to confirm harmful interference exists.”

To counter this, LightSquared offered up numerous solutions, including lowering the strength of their signal in the hopes the GPS devices won’t pick up on it as easily and an add-on filter provided by Javad GNSS. This filter is designed to put an end to the interference problems caused by LightSquared’s network, but comes with a slight problem: the device must have the filter retrofitted first. LightSquared is claiming the simple, inexpensive filter will not cause the costs of GPS units to rise, but what about the devices already out there in consumers’ hands? Won’t it be a hassle, having to install this filter to their device?  Will they have to buy new devices altogether?

The committee’s report has been handed to the FCC who is tasked with deciding whether or not to grant LightSquared permission to build their network. With the release of this report things don’t look good, but only time will tell. We’ll be sure to keep you informed here at RMT as decisions are made and reports are released pertaining to this case.