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July 29,2011
The Honorable Julius Genachowski
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Re: LightSquared Subsidiary LLC equest for odification ofIts Authority for an
Ancillary Terrestrial Component, File No. SAT·MOD-20101118-00239
Dear Mr. Chairman:
As the Commission considers the LightSquared Subsidiary LLC ("LightSquared")
matter, we are writing to encourage you and your fellow Commissioners to weigh
carefully the important policies at stake in this proceeding, including both the rapid
deployment ofnext generation wireless broadband to all Americans and the need to
preserve and strengthen our Global Positioning System ("GPS").
As the National Broadband Plan recommended, the nation's needs in an increasingly
global economy will require significant spectrum for wireless broadband services, and the
Commission and the Congress should take action to ensure sufficient spectrum
availability for a competitive wireless market. These spectrum decisions will be critical
to enabling the jobs and private businesses oftomorrow and in spurring unfettered
innovation and new investment. In making strategic spectrum decisions, we must not
only find more spectrum, we must be tireless in our efforts to require more efficient use
ofexisting spectrum resources.
The Commission has the opportunity to serve both ofthose goals in the present
proceeding. By encouraging the "multi-tasking" ofsatellite spectrum to serve the
nation's next generation wireless broadband goals, the Commission has effectively found
new terrestrial spectrum while at the same time enhancing the efficiency ofexisting
spectrum uses. We commend you for creating an environment in which private
investment can be directed to achieving these important goals.
Like any new spectrum initiative, however, LightSquared's network deployment must be
compatible with the needs ofnearby spectrum users; in LightSquared's case, with
essential GPS services used for national defense and security, public safety, and the
productive life ofour economy and citizens. Accordingly, we urge you and your
colleagues to consider carefully the interference concerns regarding LightSquared's
network, which have been raised by the GPS industry and federal agencies who are
responsible for our security and our national wellbeing. GPS is vital and cannot be
jeopardized.
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Letter to Chainnan Genachowski
July 29,2011
Page 2
Consistent with the Commission's longstanding statutory authority to coordinate between
users ofspectrum to mitigate hannful interference, we are aware that you have required
LightSquared to work with the GPS industry and the relevant federal agencies to study
interference concerns. We support you in your resolve that, in consultation with NTIA,
you will address concerns relating to widespread harmful interference to GPS and urge
you to do so in timely fashion.
We recognize the Commission's unique obligation to the public, and its commitment to
ensure appropriate use ofthe nation's airwaves. We urge the Commission to work with
all interested parties to ensure that the American public is able to benefit both from
expanded broadband deployment and a robust GPS system.
Sincerely,
&.-.-~g.~
Edward J. Mark y Brian P. Bilbray