Today, Congressman Mike Turner released the following statement upon LightSquared’s petition to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking immediate approval of its proposed network, which interferes with Department of Defense (DOD) Global Positioning Systems (GPS) receivers:
“The President will shortly sign the National Defense Authorization Act for FY12, which contains a provision I sponsored with Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) that will prohibit FCC approval of the LightSquared network until concerns about its widespread harmful interference with DOD’s Global Positioning System are resolved. I understand the company has recently petitioned the FCC to approve its network immediately.
“Such approval, in view of the recent test results of the LightSquared network’s effect on GPS receivers, would be prohibited by our legislation. The FCC should take no actions inconsistent with the bipartisan and bicameral position of the Congress that our first goal must be to protect DOD GPS systems.”
Note: Congressman Turner is Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces with which has legislative jurisdiction over military and certain intelligence community space and satellite systems. Turner’s provision is in Section 911 of the Conference Report of the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act.