FreeFlight Systems CEO Tells Members 'LightSquared Needs To
Work Side-By-Side With The FAA And RTCA To Ensure
Compatibility'
House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) held a
full committee hearing Wednesday to examine the impact on small
businesses that may result from LightSquared’s use of its
spectrum to provide broadband service near the Global Positioning
System (GPS). Small businesses, including farmers, construction
contractors, surveyors, and the general aviation industry, rely on
the accuracy of GPS. Potential interference with GPS raises
significant concerns to these small companies.
“Increasing broadband to underserved and rural areas is a
noble goal and only makes sense in this rapidly advancing
technological world. However, we must find a solution to increase
wireless broadband without jeopardizing currently established GPS
systems and further burdening small businesses," Graves said.
“Interference of the GPS signal will cost American small
businesses billions of dollars to retrofit their GPS devices. This
alone is an enormous burden that could harm or impair their
business. From land surveyors to family farmers to thousands of
other businesses— a huge segment of our economy will be
affected. But this is about more than the cost, it is also about
safety. Pilots rely heavily on GPS to maneuver their planes—
so above all, we must ensure that safety is not compromised."
Graves said he is hopeful that a solution can be found that will
not interfere with GPS, and still increasing wireless broadband
nationwide. "However, we are not there yet. It is clear from our
small business witnesses that further analysis and tests for all
GPS devices are needed before LightSquared moves forward. This
Committee will be following the issue closely to make sure there
are no added costs for small business GPS users and that safety
remains of utmost importance,” he said.
Congressman Graves
Tim Taylor (pictured In C-SPAN frame capture, above), president
and CEO of FreeFlight Systems, testified at the hearing on behalf
of the Aircraft Electronics Association. Taylor told the Committee
that, "the idea that a new entrant into the marketplace can
arbitrarily introduce a product that immediately compromises
aviation safety and security, while expecting the aviation industry
to design, manufacture, test, certify and install an aviation
compliant filter, is simply not realistic."
"We are appreciative of Mr. Taylor taking the time to represent
all AEA members in front of Congress," said Paula Derks, AEA
president. "The proposal from LightSquared for a nationwide
wireless broadband network compromises safety and is not
acceptable. It is important for the AEA to be heard on Capitol Hill
regarding this issue that endangers a national utility which
millions of Americans rely on every day, and we thank the
Committee for the opportunity to testify."