My Coordinates

It is about spectrum.

Stakes are high and consequences are serious.

When in January this year, the Federal Communications Commission

(FCC) gave conditional approval to LightSquared,

To roll out its ground based wireless network (4G).

GPS community got nervous.

As testing indicates that LightSquared’s ground-based transmissions

overpower the relatively weak GPS signal from space.

Though LightSquared will function on the assigned radio band,

it is close to the spectrum on which GPS operates.

And will cause interference to GPS devices.

It has triggered frantic discussions and intense debate.

And desperate search for solution.

A solution that is viable,

But not at the expense of GPS.

Also, other GNSS systems in the making should take a cue

To take precaution and avoid similar situation.

Bal Krishna, Editor

bal@mycoordinates.org