Voice your concerns directly to Congressional Representatives and Senators
To voice your concerns about GPS interference, you can send letters, emails, faxes, call or visit your Congressional Representatives' or Senators' office in person to explain how you use GPS as a local business and what the impacts of interference would be to the local economy. Please include: "Coalition to Save Our GPS and FCC File No. SAT-MOD-20101118-00239" in your correspondence.
Write Your Representative
Ask your member of congress to support and co-sign the attached letter from Congressman Neugebauer (R-TX) and Austria (R-OH).
 66 Congressman Co-Sign Neugebauer and (R-TX) and Austria (R-OH)
Find Your U.S. House of Representatives
Contact Your Senator
Ask your Senator to support and co-sign the attached letter from Senators Roberts (R-KS) and Nelson (D-NE): explain how you use GPS in your state and what impact interference or any compromise of the GPS service would have on you and the local economy.
33 Senators Co-Sign Roberts (R-KS) and Nelson (D-NE) Letter
Find Your Local Senator
Send your comments directly to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Background
In January, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) conditionally allowed a company called LightSquared to offer wireless broadband services in radio frequency bands adjacent to those used by GPS receivers. Based on feedback from public and private sector GPS users, the FCC told LightSquared that it could not launch service until testing could be completed to determine the extent of the problems that LightSquared would cause. The report of that testing was submitted to the FCC on June 30, 2011 and it showed that there would be massive interference to GPS from LightSquared's proposed operations. The FCC has asked for feedback from the public on the report.
What can I do?
Everyone who cares about GPS should let the FCC know about the threat that LightSquared poses. In writing to the FCC, you should cover the following points:
- How you use GPS technology in your business and/or personal life
- What would happen to your business/personal life if GPS became unavailable or unreliable
- While more capacity for wireless broadband services is important, it should not come at the expense of GPS, which is critical to our country's economy
- The results of the testing that were performed at the FCC's request are conclusive - they show that GPS reception would be wiped out by LightSquared's proposed service.
- Now that the test results have shown interference to GPS, the FCC shouldn't allow LightSquared to keep trying out modified versions of its plan to use the spectrum near the GPS band. LightSquared's operations and GPS are fundamentally incompatible and the FCC should order LightSquared out of that band.
How do I tell the FCC to save GPS?
The FCC has an easy-to-use portal on its website to submit feedback on the testing results:
In order to submit a letter regarding the LightSquared Subsidiary LLC modification request being processed by the International Bureau, follow these steps:
Go to the FCC International Bureau Electronic Filing System (IBFS): http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/pleading.do and fill in the requested information. Pleading type is a drop down menu. The selection of "letter" is most likely the correct one; "ex parte presentation notification letter" is used to report a prior oral ex parte meeting, and would not be correct here. Keep "no" checked on the "confidential information" line. Please note that there is no need to have or use an FCC Registration Number (FRN). The sender should fill out the information fields; there is no need to fill out the "Contact Information" field if the sender is posting directly.
When this form is complete, hit "Next Step" and you will be directed to a page requesting the FCC file number for the LightSquared modification (SAT-MOD-20101118-00239). Copy and paste the complete file number in the box. Click "Add File Numbers to Pleading List" and then check the box in the row that appears with the file number. Click "Next Step".
The next step is to upload your letter. Click the icon under "Replace/Attach" and proceed to fill out the description of the letter and follow the upload instructions. The letter should be in pdf format.
Click "Submit" after the letter is uploaded. You will receive an electronic confirmation that you can print and retain for your files.
For your ready reference, below are the actions the Coalition is seeking from the FCC:
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The FCC must make clear, and the NTIA must ensure, that LightSquared's license modification is contingent on the outcome of the mandated study unequivocally demonstrating that there is no interference to GPS. The study must be comprehensive, objective, and based on correct assumptions about existing GPS uses rather than theoretical possibilities. Given the substantial pre-existing investment in GPS systems and infrastructure, and the critical nature of GPS applications, the results of studies must conclusively demonstrate that there is no risk of interference. If there is conflicting evidence, doubts must be resolved against the LightSquared terrestrial system. The views of LightSquared, as an interested party, are entitled to no special weight in this process. |
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The FCC should make clear that LightSquared and its investors are proceeding at their own risk in advance of the FCC's assessment of the working group's analysis. While this is the FCC's established policy, the Commission's International Bureau failed to make this explicit in its order. |
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Resolution of interference has to be the obligation of LightSquared, not the extensive GPS user community of millions of citizens. LightSquared must bear the costs of preventing interference emanating from their devices, and if there is no way to prevent interference, it should not be permitted to operate. GPS users or providers should not have to bear any of the consequences of LightSquared's actions. |
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This is a matter of critical national interest. There must be a reasonable opportunity for public comment of at least 45 days on the report produced by the working group and further FCC actions on the LightSquared modification order should take place with the approval of a majority of the commissioners, not at the bureau level. |
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