LightSquared Plans Need To Address Possible AMT Interference, AFTRCC Says
Any comments the FCC seeks on LightSquared's hopes of gaining some spectrum used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration need to be "sufficiently broad in scope" to include compatibility of its planned terrestrial broadband network with aeronautical mobile telemetry…
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(AMT), the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council (AFTRCC) said in a filing posted Tuesday in docket 12-340. LightSquared is seeking shared use of the NOAA spectrum as part of its plan to give up terrestrial use of 1545-1555 MHz to assuage interference fears voiced by the GPS industry (see 1512310016). LightSquared's proposal before the FCC "is focused substantially on GPS issues [and] there is no mention of potential LightSquared interference [to AMT] in the band immediately to the south of LightSquared at 1435-1525 MHz," AFTRCC said. The FCC needs to be sure to invite comment on AMT below 1525 MHz, it said. AFTRCC said it and LightSquared were once "in substantial negotiations" about a coordination agreement and are talking about resuming them, but said "such discussions are not a substitute for the relief requested here." In a statement Tuesday, LightSquared said it has "worked constructively with AFTRCC over the years," and is "happy to resume our work together. Our approach is consistent with finding solutions with all key stakeholders, and we very much look forward to the Commission moving forward with its process."