Last year, Sprint Nextel and Reston, Va-based start-up LightSquared inked a 15-year, $9 billion contract to share wireless spectrum, as well as network construction and equipment costs. As part of this deal, Sprint agreed to use LightSquared’s 4G LTE network for its new 4G service. However, LightSquared has been facing a challenge from the GPS industry, which contends that its spectrum interferes with navigation devices. And so must obtain Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval.
LightSquared is now struggling to get the FCC approval and is asking for more time. A CNET News report indicates that Sprint is giving LightSquared six more weeks to obtain FCC approval to build its nationwide 4G LTE wireless network. Otherwise, it will terminate its agreement with the company, according to Dow Jones Newswires, wrote CNET News reporter Marguerite Reardon.
As per the CNET News report, a Sprint spokesman told Dow Jones that the company had given LightSquared until mid-March to resolve concerns that its network interferes with GPS receivers. A similar 30-day extension was given to LightSquared by Sprint at the end of 2011.
According to this report, a LightSquared representative has confirmed that an extension had been granted, and the company is committed to completing its 4G LTE network.
In a statement released by LightSquared, Terry Neal, head of public relations for LightSquared, said, "Sprint and LightSquared have agreed to extend our network agreement through mid March." He added, "Sprint continues to support our business plan to bring wireless broadband to more than 260 million Americans and our ongoing efforts to work with regulatory agencies to resolve interference concerns," wrote Reardon.
Meanwhile, because LightSquared’s wireless spectrum interferes with GPS devices, the GPS industry has asked FCC not to approve LightSquared's wireless spectrum, wrote Reardon. The CNET News report indicates that the problem is not with just interference, but that GPS receivers already in the field can "listen" to signals coming from the band operated by LightSquared.
“LightSquared has agreed to turn down the power on its signals, and it has also said it will not use a portion of its spectrum, which is closest to the GPS bands,” wrote Reardon. In addition, according to Reardon, LightSquared is recommending use of filters in GPS receivers to curb interference.
According to the Dow Jones article, FCC is accepting public comment until February 27 on LightSquared's argument that “GPS device manufacturers are not entitled to legal protection from interference caused by its signals,” wrote Reardon.
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Ashok Bindra is a veteran writer and editor with more than 25 years of editorial experience covering RF/wireless technologies, semiconductors and power electronics. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves 
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