FCC Report on LightSquared Might Not Settle Much

A report by engineers studying interference issues betweeen LightSquared and GPS and other interests is due to be released June 15, 2011. But the study might only point out the need for further tests, as observers say LightSquared and other companies cannot agree on whether the problem actually can be fixed by using new filters or other methods of preventing interference.

'Where government and private GPS Users and LightSquared will disagree is on the potential for a technical solution,' said Jim Kirkland, vice president and general counsel of Trimble Navigation Limited, a GPS technology company.

The Federal Communications Commission will have to referee the growing disagreement between LightSquared and GPS makers and users, including the Defense Department and Federal Aviation Administration, which is planning to upgrade the U.S.'s existing air traffic control system to one that relies on GPS technologies.

Report to FCC Will Find LightSquared Interferes with GPS - WSJ.com (subscription required)