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."

FMI: www.aea.net, http://smallbusiness.house.gov