LightSquared to face public comment period on interference

Published June 4, 2011 4:00am ET



Regulators will take public comments about interference from Philip Falcone’s proposed LightSquared wireless network before letting the service proceed, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski said. The comments will be gathered after a working group studying possible LightSquared interference issues its report, which is due June 15, Genachowski said in a May 31 letter to Senator Charles Grassley. The letter was released today by Grassley’s office.

LightSquared, backed by Falcone’s Harbinger Capital Partners hedge fund, would serve 260 million mobile devices over a network of 40,000 terrestrial towers, using airwaves once reserved primarily for satellites. Makers and users of global- positioning system devices say the service may interfere with GPS signals used by mobile phones, aircraft, tractors and military gear.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.