This could be the beginning of the end for LightSquared.
The New Mexico State Police reported that when parked directly under the tower, their GPS equipment experienced "system failure," and while driving around near the test site in Alamogordo, N.M., they "continued to incorrect during the test period."
does that mean they lost their corrections? fwiw, i don't use real time, static here
They don't lose corrections. They losing timing. The E911 systems use the GPS system to regulation transmissions on the new 800 systems. It's hard to explain in a few words but the clock function keeps the transmissions from stepping on each other and to allow the frequencies to shift in the newer systems. It's crucial to communications. So their radio's fail, not their locations. This is a BIG deal.
Lots of folks have absolutely no idea how critical GPS Is
In the Telecom Industry GPS Is typically used for precise timing, in order to keep everything in sync. Where is it used?
Telephone Company Central Offices (Typically deploy 2 receivers, one primary and one backup)
Cell Phone Sites (Used for Voice and Broadband Data Sync)
Trunked Radio Sites (Everything needs precise timing to accomplish coordinated channel changes)
Lightsquared is going to affect lots of things that most people have no idea it can. The FCC sold out in granting them this spectrum. Lets hope that folks don't have to start dying before the FCC pulls the plug on this. Think it can't happen?
Say I'm hurt and need an ambulance, I pick up the phone (Wired) but it doesn't work (I just get static as the T1 Trunks that connect to the 911 PSAP are undergoing frame slip (loss of timing). I grab my cell, and it doesn't work either. Even if it does work the E-911 data is corrupt and sends the wrong location to the 911 center. They attempt to dispatch over Cellular Data, or a private data network, but it's down. They then attempt to Dispatch over the radio and it's down too....
> This could be the beginning of the end for LightSquared.
>
> LightSquared Testing
Might be a good link to forward to your congress critter.
Bill93 provided the best analogy
. . . back on 06 April 2011.
"The FCC had zoned the area for agricultural use (satellite signals), but allowed some commercial use (terrestrial signals) if the buildings were small. GPS users all planted their gardens on the agricultural lots. Now the FCC is letting Lightsquared build high-rises (powerful terrestrial signals) on their lot and it shades the GPS users so it makes their land unproductive."
Looks to me like LightSquared is attempting to leverage the current anti-regulation climate and the "if it creates jobs (however few) it must be good and we have to allow it" philosophy at the FCC to get their way.
I have read that LightSquared is in danger of losing its investors and financing (and therefore the whole ball of wax) if it does not get something going fast, so they have pulled out all stops in presenting their case to all branches of gubmint.
GB
Bill93 provided the best analogy
We should all pitch in for a good lawyer and sue the bastards.
I actually sent an email after reading the article. Every little bit helps, right? I just hope other concerned citizens as well as the surveying community takes the same action.
They started testing in Las Vegas last week and, according to the Las Vegas Sun, so far there are no problems. Of course, the transmitter's in Boulder City, and the Sun didn't interview anybody there.
For those that are interested, you can test the raw gps data from the Las Vegas Valley Water District.
And GPS World has a webinar tomorrow on the latest on Lightsquared.
Here is additional information I just received from the "Save Our GPS Coalition"
Member Update – May 25, 2011
As you know, the GPS Working Group will submit its final report on interference to the FCC on June 15. While the GPS industry continues to participate in good faith in the FCC-required interference testing, we have no reason to expect anything other than what we have said all along – that LightSquared’s planned network will cause widespread interference to the more than 500 million receivers nationwide. The simple fact is that you cannot argue with the laws of physics.
We have made great progress. Some of the highlights, which have received widespread news coverage in local, national, and trade publications, are outlined below. But as we enter this next critical stage, we need more user stories. Please consider submitting a story explaining how you, your organization, or the sector in which you operate uses GPS each day. Examples of stories could include positive stories where GPS has been crucial to operations, examples of investments made in GPS technology, or examples of how GPS has improved operational efficiency or reduced environmental impact. Please include with your story permission for us to use it publicly, with attribution to you and your organization.
Many of you included comments when completing the web form that could be very helpful in a petition. If you have already submitted a story and would like us to use it publicly please let us know by responding with permission to use your full name and company listed, or just your initials and state.
Lastly, a “Dear Colleague” letter is currently being circulated in the U.S. House of Representatives asking for members to co-sign a letter to FCC Chairman Genachowski asking that the FCC only grant final approval to LightSquared if the company can indisputably demonstrate that their proposal will not interfere with GPS technology. The letter’s original cosponsors are U.S. Reps Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas), Ralph Hall (R-Texas), Steve Austria (R-Ohio), and Collin Peterson (D-Minn.). Copies of the “Dear Colleague,” as well as the drafted letter to the FCC, are attached.
Please urge your Member of Congress to sign on to this important letter. It will be sent to the FCC by June 3rd, so please contact them soon. To find out who your representative is in Congress, click here.
Thank you.
Recent Developments
Senators Pat Roberts of Kansas and Bill Nelson of Nebraska, along with thirty one of their colleagues in the U.S Senate, sent a strong message to FCC Chairman Genachowski last week. “To ensure full protection that GPS service is not compromised in any way, we request the full Commission require LightSquared to demonstrate non-interference of GPS as a condition prior to any operation of its proposed service, and we request the Commission rescind LightSquared’s waiver until this demonstration can be made,” the letter read in part. Many of our coalition members have contacted their Senators urging them to co-sign this important letter.
U.S. Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio) successfully included language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that requires the Secretary of Defense to notify Congress if he determines there is widespread interference with the military’s use of GPS caused by a commercial communications service. “When it comes to GPS spectrum, government agencies must consult with the Defense Department on any effects. Our service members who are on the ground in two wars count on an uninterrupted GPS capability to do their jobs. This language creates a public notification so we know the magnitude of the problem,” said Turner. We expect that this legislation will be approved by the House of Representatives before Memorial Day.
The FCC’s unusual haste in the LightSquared decision did not go unnoticed by Senator Grassley of Iowa. The Senator sent a letter asking the agency to produce e-mails and other communications between LightSquared, Harbinger Capital Partners, which controls LightSquared, and Phillip Falcone, founder and chief executive officer of Harbinger, and the Commission.
The first responder community is also becoming increasingly concerned. Just this week the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) joined the Coalition. In April, the State of New Mexico’s E-911 program office conducted live tests at Holloman Air Force Base of GPS equipment used by first responders and reported that the findings “substantiate concerns that the LightSquared network will cause interference to GPS signals and jeopardize 911 and public safety nationwide.” A letter and reports on the matter are available in full here.
> I actually sent an email after reading the article. Every little bit helps, right? I just hope other concerned citizens as well as the surveying community takes the same action.
I emailed two Senators and Two Congress critters over this. I also sent a link to the American Surveyor Story.
