FCC planning to destroy GPS...interesting read...

[Squareman357]

http://freegeographytools.com/2011/how-the-fcc-plans-to-destroy-gps-a-simple-explanation

So what do you think about that?  Some validity to it?  Or more "sky is falling" rhetoric?

[DredheadV2.0]

http://freegeographytools.com/2011/how-the-fcc-plans-to-destroy-gps-a-simple-explanation

So what do you think about that?  Some validity to it?  Or more "sky is falling" rhetoric?

WTH???    

[kevin_stevens]

Absolutely obscene example of "special pleading" by industry groups.  *Exactly* the kind of thing the FCC is supposed to prevent, not endorse.  Appalling.

KeS

[zer0netgain]

Hard to say where this will go.

Military relies on GPS, but they might be on a new frequency and care not about how civilians are impacted.

I can rest assured that when people start having problems, the GPS makers will raise hell over this.

[FJRmgm]

Hard to say where this will go.

Military relies on GPS, but they might be on a new frequency and care not about how civilians are impacted.

I can rest assured that when people start having problems, the GPS makers will raise hell over this.

it will be ME raising hell over this IF it ever happens.   Too many people and groups are dependent upon GPS these days.

[Rincewind]

That tile is a bit inflammatory, donchathink?  

If the they are planning on the destruction of GPS, why is the FCC requiring that Lightsquared works with the GPS manufacturers to alleviate all interference issues before they are allowed to implement?  

Indeed, the FCC stated LightSquared is required to submit an initial report to both the Commission and the NTIA by Feb. 25, 2011, that includes a work plan outlining key milestones for the overall analyses. In addition, LightSquared must submit progress reports on the 15th day of each succeeding month thereafter. The first of these reports must at a minimum include base station transmitter characteristics, categories of GPS devices and their representative performance characteristics, and test plans and procedures.

LightSquared is further required to submit a final report no later than June 15, 2011, that includes the working group's analyses of the potential for overload interference to GPS devices from LightSquared's terrestrial network of base stations, technical and operational steps to avoid such interference, and specific recommendations going forward to mitigate potential interference to GPS devices.

http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/112844

[antvq]

This does not bode well for either individuals or airlines that rely on GPS for navigation.   I read the documents that were in the original link and this does smell fishy.    These folks got all sorts of waivers just after donating the max amount to the party in power.  That is enough to put everything on hold and take a closer look.  Add in the fact that the guy running the company is currently under investigation for fraud and it's just another red flag.

As far as LightSpeed working with GPS manufacturers....the only result of that so far is LightSpeed telling them they must modify their equipment.  

[Squareman357]

That tile is a bit inflammatory, donchathink?  

If the they are planning on the destruction of GPS, why is the FCC requiring that Lightsquared works with the GPS manufacturers to alleviate all interference issues before they are allowed to implement?  

http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/112844

  I didn't name the article, the author did, I just used the same title he used!    I think in the article, the author stated that the waiver the FCC gave LightSquared wasn't predicated on any interference alleviation, and that they could simply say that instituting filters on GPS devices is the "technical and operational steps" and/or "recommendations for mitigation ", which would still cause millions of dollars in infrastructure changes, including equipment.  Do YOU want to buy a new GPS and cell phone because the existing tech in your units is now unusable?  I know I don't LOL!

[CLAY]

I can't imagine this will actually happen.  The outrage would be unreal.  I have a feeling if it were to occur and executive order would be issued- minimally- to stop it.

[bomber]

The piece is full of technical holes and errors (just because the author admits simplification doesn't mean the simplification doesn't alter the value of the data) . . .

His mu-metal foil hat has overheated his noggin.

[sprint_st]

I don't watch GPS news much anymore but did back in the mid '80's.   GPS was 100% a military program at that time and an argument could be made that it technically still is.  The system was designed to be accurate enough to make instrument landings in the military mode which required a special code.  The civilians could use a much more degraded form.  Problem was that it was way more accurate than anyone expected AND civilian electronic wiz's figured out how to make it even more accurate even without the code.  To make a long story short political pressure took over control of the GPS program and the Air Force was pissed. Do you remember when Bill Clinton told the Air Force to turn off selective availability? The military has always had the ability to turn satellites off and on so they could remove service to a rather large area without a lot of problems.  You can jam almost any radio signal based system or even better you can spoof it by adding some locally based transmitters which record actual GPS transmissions, delay them and then retransmit them.  I'm sure there are smarter folks than me who can come up with ways to wreck GPS receivers.   IMO, no one in the government could stand up to the political heat that screwing with GPS would bring UNLESS they had one helluva good reason.  Besides, GPS doesn't fall under the purview of the FCC.

[zer0netgain]

Besides, GPS doesn't fall under the purview of the FCC.

Even so, the FCC is responsible for allocating frequencies to prevent problems.  They know what frequencies are used for GPS and should not allow anyone else to trample over it when assigning usage to the public.

[napper]

Dammit, where'd I put my road atlas?

[SWriverstone]

Dammit, where'd I put my road atlas?

I dunno...I think the article's sources are valid...and clearly some mutual pipe-tugging is going on between LightSquared and the FCC. But as others have said...all it would take is for this to become a national scandal for LightSquared to back down or be history...and things can go viral (e.g. become a national scandal) VERY quickly in this day and age.

Scott

[Joey Stalin]

Sky is falling rhetoric. I have no mistaken notions about the ability of industry and government to screw over the public. They routinely do it on smaller scales. But messing with airplane navigation? Sorry, not going to happen. Suddenly pilots all over the country start having a fit because their navigation is having a collective fit? Yeah, the FAA wouldn't be very happy about that. Not going to happen.

[JimWilliamson]

Sky is falling rhetoric. I have no mistaken notions about the ability of industry and government to screw over the public. They routinely do it on smaller scales. But messing with airplane navigation? Sorry, not going to happen. Suddenly pilots all over the country start having a fit because their navigation is having a collective fit? Yeah, the FAA wouldn't be very happy about that. Not going to happen.

I'm in this camp. If it messes with commercial aviation, it won't happen.

I could see them promoting/trying/saying "we won't place antennas X distance from 'major' airports..." though.

[sprint_st]

Even so, the FCC is responsible for allocating frequencies to prevent problems.  They know what frequencies are used for GPS and should not allow anyone else to trample over it when assigning usage to the public.

Unless something has changed the military and the FCC coordinate frequency management.  The FCC isn't totally stupid, although it is part of the government and must take some guilt by association.  First thing you have to remember is GPS works at just over 1 gigahz.  That's line of sight stuff.  So you could actually have multiple services using the same frequencies if coordinated properly.  Then there is the business that GPS is the original service in those freqs.  Ever wonder why a railroad or boat has the right of way over cars?  It's because they were there first.  Same goes for those services.  If a new guy interferes with the original service they can be fined or even taken into court for damages.

[DangerMoney]

http://freegeographytools.com/2011/how-the-fcc-plans-to-destroy-gps-a-simple-explanation

....  Or more "sky is falling" rhetoric?

Given civil aviation and maritime navigations dependence on GPS (read "public safety"), absolute "sky is falling" rhetoric.

[Justin]

Wouldn't this also have the potential to interfere with aviation GPS? Maybe it will become an FAA vs FCC battle  

[kurtw]

My cynical take on this: ASSUMING the article can be taken more or less at face value, then I will not be at all surprised if this is a choreographed game of chicken. It will be allowed to move forward until the consequences are obvious to everyone. Then, for the public good, someone will come up with some way to swap this company some safer, much more valuable frequencies for their cheap sat frequencies. It's a win-win!  

PS - if I'm wrong, I guess my new GPS I just bought will make a great paper-weight.