Got this for BoatUS today.
BoatU.S. Government Affairs
February 24, 2012
Dear BoatU.S. Member:
Last summer boaters sent a clear message to the Federal Communications Commission Dont Mess with GPS!" As you may remember, a private company, LightSquared, received preliminary FCC approval to offer a new cellular broadband service. Tests showed this service could significantly interfere with GPS signals.
Thanks to over 18,000 boaters who submitted comments, along with many other GPS users, the FCC required additional testing in the fall. (Thank you all for your help!) Last week, these tests revealed that the LightSquareds network would interfere with GPS and that there are no practical fixes. As a result, the FCC has proposed to withdraw LightSquared’s approval.(http://www.gps.gov/news/2012/02/lightsquared/)
The FCC has a new comment period (open to March 1) asking for the publics opinion. Even if you wrote last summer, please take a few minutes now and write the FCC asking them to protect the GPS signal by saying No to LightSquareds current proposal. Given this companys tenacity over the last year, we want to make sure that boaters needs are remembered as the FCC makes their final decision.
Important points to make:
How do you use GPS in your life on the water, on land, or in the air?
What would happen to your business/personal life if GPS became unavailable or unreliable?
Wireless broadband service is important, but it should not come at the expense of GPS.
All the studies show that LightSquareds proposed network would cause interference and that there are no remedies.
Tell FCC that you rely on them to protect the integrity of the GPS signal and that you support their recommendation to stop LightSquareds current proposal
You can submit comments directly to the FCC through their online comment form. (We regret we cant streamline this process for you, but it is important enough were still asking for your help.) Heres how:
Click on this link for the FC