BRIAN P. BILBRAY
50TH D,STR,CT. CALIFORNIA
2410 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON. DC 20515
(202) 225-0508
FAX (202) 225-2658
DISTRICT OFFICE:
380 STEVENS AVE...212
SOLANA BEACH. CA 92076
(858) 350-1150
FAX (8581 36o-D750
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JBu.al1ington. 111m 20515-0550
April 10, 2012
COMMITTEE ON
ENERGY AND COMMERCE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON
ENERGY AND POWER
SUBCOMMITTEE ON
COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
SUBCOMMITTEE ON
OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATION
HOUSE REPUBLICAN
POLICY COMMITTEE
IMMIGRATION ReFORM
CAUCUS. CHAIRMAN
The Honorable Julius Genachowski, Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Re: FCC File No. SAT~MOD-20101118-00239; IB Docket No. 11-109
Dear Mr. Chairman:
We are writing to urge the FCC to find a solution to the LightSquared matter currently before the Commission.
As a matter of public interest, it would be beneficial to examine all potential paths forward before closing the door on
what could be an opportunity to increase competition and access in the nation's wireless providers.
For the last ten years, LightSquared has worked within the regulatory process of two Administrations to secure a
license that would allow them to offer a nationwide satellite and terrestrial network. As you noted, the federal agencies
and commercial interests involved reviewed and approved this network during this process on several occasions. Their
network would expand much-needed high-speed wireless service to previously unreached parts of the country. Through
its satellite service, LightSquared would be able to connect people in areas where ground-networks are not an option. The
company committed to invest $14 billion in private funding to build this network, and to date, have already invested $4
billion. Unfortunately, the concern about potential overload of GPS receivers was not brought up until late in the process.
If the FCC now determines that such interference is a concern, the FCC should not walk away from this matter,
and in doing so, ignore a decade of regulatory rules and orders on which this business relied in building their model. It
would seem that there are ways to address these interference issues without picking winners and losers. Whether through
a swap of spectrum or a transition to better technology, a solution should be sought.
Technology does not stand still. Every day, new businesses are launched on the back of technological progress.
We believe firmly that a strong GPS industry is important to this country. Furthermore, it is without question that the
American economy is stronger with increased competition in the wireless communications industry. The American
people and our economy rely on the FCC to make long lasting policy decisions that businesses can rely upon for
investment and job creation. I hope that the FCC will examine all possibilities to allow this broadband competitor to
move forward, while ensuring a more robust GPS system for the American consumer.
Sincerely,
Joe Pitts
Member of Congress
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Member ofCongress
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Gerald Connolly
Member of Congress