FCC to reject LightSquared's network application due to GPS interference concerns

LightSquared's attempts to launch a new LTE network may be at an end, with the Wall Street Journal and AllThingsD reporting that the FCC will be rejecting the company's application after the National Telecommunications and Information Administration cited concerns due to potential GPS interference. In its letter to the FCC, the NTIA stated that after extensive testing it had concluded that "LightSquared's proposed mobile broadband network will impact GPS services and that there is no practical way to mitigate the potential interference at this time." The move comes after months of lobbying on the part of LightSquared, which had complained that GPS manufacturers themselves were to blame for the interference issues.

In response to today's announcements, LightSquared said it "profoundly disagrees" with the NTIA's recommendation, which was based on "flawed conclusions," but that it "remains committed to working towards a resolution." However, with Sprint having already pegged March as the date it would end its partnership with LightSquared should the FCC issue not be resolved, it's hard to see just what that resolution would look like.

• SourceWall Street Journal PR Newswire AllThingsD NTIA Letter (PDF)
• Related Items gps lte lightsquared fcc broadband federal communications commission interference ntia national telecommunications and information administration