LightSquared Update -- FAA summary

I was wondering when the FAA would be involved. Broadcast stations close to approaches is not looked upon favorably, since some of the approaches would have to be re-evaluated. Thanks for the update.

It needs a stake driven thru it's heart!!!

And I'm being kind.

Fred

You're being kind as well. "Cluster ----" is more like it... It's amazing how this ever made it to where it is now. It's also amazing how greasing the right palms can get you places.

...I'm trying to be polite...

There are a number of appropriate engineering terms for the situation, similar to the one you mentioned.

The precision agriculture - precision positioning people, such as Caterpillar and International Harvester - John Deere are screwed; they're in the category of "won't even work if it's redesigned."

I've still got enough optimism to hope that someone will drive a stake through this one's heart. But I'm also enough of a realist to imagine that it might just go ahead.

Isn't a report from the FAA saying the system is unworkable just the stake through the heart lightsquared deserves? How can anyone realistically suggest lightsquared should be allowed to continue in light of the FAA's findings?

Easy. This is the government we are talking about and a couple of well placed lobbyists and campaign contributions can work like Ex Lax to free up stalled legislation. Recall how LightSquared got their initial approval without so much as a blip on the RADAR until after the approval was granted. I still have enough faith in the government to believe it will do the wrong thing.

Personally I believe the strategy LightSquared will use is to pay for replacement of all government devices and perhaps aviation ones as well, and leave us consumers to fend for ourselves. That will make enough congress-critters/FCC happy that they will joyfully approve the application. After all, it will not cost the government a dime and who cares about the average citizen?

There was a notice that Harbinger Capital dba LightSquared had asked for a waiver to build before the waiver was granted. The comment period was a whole 10 days and included the Thanksgiving holiday of 2010. What's shown is this wasn't fully on the up-and-up was the fact key divisions within the FCC were not consulted or made aware of the pending action until it was granted. Sources have stated the Science and Technology division which oversees the certification of devices and issues the Type Acceptance approvals received a copy of the request, in error, 2 days before it was granted. The International Bureau which controls satellite communications had no intention of seeking input from within their own agency before ruling.

I think you should stop and think about how much money you're talking about here.

Commercial and Military GPS systems are VERY expensive. It would probably cost less to replace them, rather than convert them.

Not only that, but all of the satellites will have to be replaced as well. The satellites cannot just be re-programmed to use another set of frequencies. The transmitters were designed and built to work at maximum efficiency at specific frequencies to conserve power and give the best coverage.

We are talking "TRILLIONS" of dollars here - Not Millions to chage to another band. Plus, it would take years for it to happen.

This is a great opportunity, what with the FAA Administrator stepping down for DUI!

Perhaps he was DUI on the job too!

Fred

Do you understand the issue with LightSquared? It has nothing to do with the FAA Administrator resigning over being arrested for DUI. The FAA, along with the ENTIRE Department of Transportation was blindsided by this waiver grant. This apparently was a deal brokered and executed solely between the administration and ONE bureau within the FCC without consultation with any of the affected stakeholders like the Departments of Commerce and Defense along with the DOT. It affects every federal department and administration to varying degrees and not a single one was consulted.

Thanks for posting this update on this. I have been curious but hadn't read anything about it in a while.