AGC is Working to Protect GPS Signals that Guide Construction Equipment

AGC has joined an industry group called the “Coalition to Save Our GPS,” which was organized to protect existing GPS receivers from the possibility of interference from the development of a strong signaled wireless broadband system being established by a  company called  LightSquared. LightSquared has petitioned and received a conditional permission from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand use of the Mobile Satellite Spectrum (MSS) immediately adjacent to GPS spectrum. The Coalition was formed because studies have shown that the LightSquared system can cause severe interference with millions of GPS receivers currently in use. Global Positioning System (GPS) manufacturers, however, have found that the new network would create interference with existing GPS signals, significantly disrupting high-precision GPS used on construction equipment, aircraft and in other applications. The Coalition includes equipment manufacturers, users and other businesses that rely on an accurate and reliable GPS signal in their operations. On June 23, the House Appropriations Committee included an amendment to the fiscal 2012 Financial Services spending bill that would hinder LightSquared’s plan. The amendment would prevent the FCC from implementing a January 26 conditional waiver that would allow LightSquared to construct its network, which includes 40,000 ground stations. The FCC initiated a study to look into the claims of both sides in the dispute. The 750-page report was released on Thursday, June 30 and can be found here. For more information, contact Brian Deery at (703) 837-5319 or deeryb@agc.org.