[Satellite News 06-21-11] Shortly after test results were released indicating one of LightSquared’s 10MHz frequency blocks as an interference threat to GPS receivers earlier this month, the 4G LTE hybrid network provider has developed an alternative deployment plan focused on the lower block of spectrum to launch its nationwide wireless broadband service.

    The company announced June 21 that it entered negotiations with MSS operator Inmarsat to accelerate the schedule for LightSquared to begin using its L-band block frequencies. LightSquared said its own research determined that the lower 10MHz block of the spectrum would not create interference risks as it is located farther away from the GPS frequencies. The company hopes its agreement with Inmarsat will allow the rollout of its wireless network in a timeframe that keeps to its original business plan and is in accordance with regulatory requirements.

   “This is a solution which ensures that tens of millions of GPS users won’t be affected by LightSquared’s launch. At the same time, this plan offers a clear path for LightSquared to move forward with the launch of a nationwide wireless network that will introduce world class broadband service to rural and underserved areas which still find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide,’’ said LightSquared Chairman and CEO Sanjiv Ahuja. 

   According to Ahuja, LightSquared will modify its FCC license to reduce the maximum authorized power of its base-station transmitters by more than 50 percent. “This action will limit LightSquared to the power we were authorized to use in 2005, which will provide additional protection to GPS,” Ahuja added. “This new plan will give LightSquared enough spectrum to serve our customer base for the next several years. During this time, LightSquared will not use the spectrum it originally planned to use for the launch of its network.”

   LightSquared’s interference issues have provided the company with a series of setbacks throughout the first half of 2011. The U.S. National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning supervised its most recent interference testing. LightSquared hoped the testing would ease fears and disprove claims from satellite navigation systems manufacturer Garmin and others in the satellite-guided navigation industry that the network’s infrastructure poses a threat to GPS devices.

   The stakes are high for LightSquared in its resolution of nagging interference problems as it recently completed negotiations with Sprint-Nextel to enter a partnership that would Sprint to compete against its rivals AT&T and Verizon. The two companies reached an agreement to share network-expansion and equipment costs to provide Sprint customers with 4G LTE service, which could be valued as high as $20 billion.

   Sprint also has promised to spend $5 billion to upgrade its network over the next three to five years. The cellular service provider said it hopes a LightSquared-upgraded network would give subscribers an incentive to stay with the carrier over faster data connections provided by its competitors.

   LightSquared Vice President Jeff Carlisle said LightSquared is now working closely with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, NTIA and commercial GPS users to explore mitigation possibilities and operational alternatives.

   “At some frequencies and power levels, adjustments could be made to safely bring the service to market. There are still ways we can co-exist. LightSquared can still make changes without destroying the economics of our network, and we still expected to meet an FCC mandate to deploy a service that reached 100 million Americans by the end of 2012,” Carlisle said.