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LightSquared
On January 26th, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an Order and Authorization giving LightSquared conditional approval to build a ground-based wireless network using its authorized mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum adjacent to the GPS L1 frequency band. The FCC required that LightSquared form a working group with the GPS community to address GPS interference concerns to the satisfaction of the FCC before commencing operations.
On June 30th, 2011, LightSquared submitted its Technical Working Group (TWG) Report and a Recommendation Paper to the FCC. The FCC has requested Public Comment on both of these documents.
On July 6th, 2011 the NTIA submitted the National Space-Based PNT Engineering Forum (NPEF) Report to the FCC which recommends that the FCC continue to withhold authorization for LightSquared to commence operation.
On December 14th, 2011, the National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing issued a press release summarizing the November 2011 test results of LightSquared's proposal to provide a new broadband service. Preliminary analysis of the test findings found no significant interference with cellular phones. However, the testing did show that LightSquared signals caused harmful interference to the majority of other tested general purpose GPS receivers.
2010 Federal Radionavigation Plan
The 2010 Federal Radionavigation Plan (FRP) has been signed and released by the Secretaries of Transportation, Defense, and Homeland Security. The FRP is the official source of positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) policy and planning for the Federal Government.
The FRP is produced biennially and is prepared jointly by the Departments of Defense, Transportation, and Homeland Security with the assistance of other government agencies. Significant changes reflected in the 2010 FRP include termination of the Loran-C system and the inclusion of high-level civil PNT requirements.
FCC GPS Jammer Enforcement Advisory
The FCC has issued GPS Jammer Enforcement Advisories for Consumers and Retailers. The advisory states "The use, marketing, and/or sale of GPS jammers, cellular jammers and other equipment designed to block, jam, or interfere with authorized radio communications in the U.S. is unlawful and strictly prohibited."
Positioning, Navigation & Timing (PNT) Collaboration Site
The Positioning, Navigation & Timing (PNT) collaboration site is part of DOT/RITA's initiative to promote information sharing and collaboration among researchers within the PNT community. It is particularly focused on research related to identified PNT capability gaps and challenges. |
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