LightSquared's network will affect GPS systems, government panel

LightSquared's network will affect GPS systems, government panelA government ahs found that the proposed wireless network of LightSquared would seriously affect global positioning systems connectivity in India.

Officials form nine federal government agencies said that no steps will allow the company to avoid interfering with GPS infrastructure in the country. The findings are a huge blow to the multi-billion dollar plan to rollout the new wireless network. The National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Executive Committee (PNT) said in a letter to the Commerce Department saying no further testing is required in the matter.

LightSquared accused the government panel of "a systematic disregard for fairness and transparency" following the findings. The company has often accused the panel of being biased toward GPS manufacturers, who are opposing the plans by LightSquared to rollout the network.

“There appear to be no practical solutions or mitigations that would permit the LightSquared broadband service, as proposed, to operate in the next few years months or years without significant interference with GPS,” LightSquared said.

LightSquared has asked the Federal Communications Commission and National Telecommunications and Information Administration to take a lead in the approval process. It said that PNT EXCOM and PNT Advisory Board has worked for personal and private sector interests ahead of their public responsibilities by avoiding tests on filter solutions for high-precision GPS devices.