LightSquared
Encyclopedia
LightSquared is a company that plans to develop a wholesale 4G
LTE (Long Term Evolution) wireless broadband communications network integrated with satellite
coverage across the United States
.
n market with two geostationary satellites since 1995. MSAT-2 is licensed in the United States
and was launched in 1995. MSAT
-1 is licensed in Canada
and was launched in 1996.
LightSquared was granted the first license to deploy and provide terrestrial service in the L-Band spectrum in November 2004.
In 2011, LightSquared announced that it had signed a 15-year agreement with Sprint
to build and operate its wireless network.
and wireless
communication service providers; cable operators; device manufacturers; web players; and content providers. LightSquared will sell its service to retailers and device makers, so that LTE wireless broadband service will be bundled into products. The integrated 4G-LTE-satellite network also will serve public sector
projects including emergency preparedness and communications in times of crisis. The company announced in July 2010 that the network will be built by Nokia Siemens Networks
. LightSquared expects to launch commercially in the second half of 2011 with four trial markets - Baltimore
, Phoenix
, Denver and Las Vegas
.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) sees LightSquared's plan as a way of enhancing competition and speeding the deployment of mobile broadband
in the United States. LightSquared will help smaller, regional wireless operators compete and provide nationwide 4G service to rural and underserved areas. It also provides new entrants in the wireless market a chance to come up with new business models that change how consumers access wireless broadband services.
On March 22, 2011, LightSquared secured a deal with Leap Wireless
, the parent of Cricket Communications
phone service, that will allow Cricket to offer customers access LightSquared's 4G-LTE network.
On March 23, 2011, LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja announced that Best Buy
had signed a retail distribution agreement with LightSquared to resell LightSquared's 4G LTE-satellite service under the current Best Buy Connect brand.
On April 20, 2011, LightSquared entered into a bilateral roaming agreement with regional carrier c spire (formerly known as Cellular South) that will provide subscribers of Cellular South a nationwide 4G-LTE footprint, as well as satellite coverage in rural areas where there is no terrestrial network. The agreement is reciprocal in that it will also expand LightSquared's 4G-LTE coverage to additional rural communities.
On April 21, 2011, LightSquared and SI Wireless announced a partnership that will give SI Wireless customers throughout rural under-served markets access to LightSquared's 4G-LTE national broadband network and satellite coverage. The bilateral roaming agreement also delivers service to parts of rural Illinois
, Kentucky
and Tennessee
.
On June 28, 2011, Miami-based consumer electronics and telecommunications company netTALK
signed a deal with LightSquared to provide its customers with services on LightSquared's integrated nationwide 4G-LTE network.
On July 28, 2011, LightSquared and Sprint Nextel
entered into a 15 year agreement to allow Sprint Nextel spectrum hosting, network service, and 4G LTE Wholesale. In return LightSquared will also utilize Sprint Nextel's current 3G network. The deal will also accelerate LTE Network build out.
On August 4, 2011, PowerNet Global, a leading nationwide provider of integrated telecommunications services based in Cincinnati, Ohio, signed a multi-year agreement with LightSquared. Under the agreement, PowerNet Global will develop its own branded voice and high-speed mobile data services for its business and residential customers using LightSquared's nationwide 4G-LTE network.
On August 8, 2011, ClearTalk Wireless, a provider of flat-rate wireless phone services in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas, signed a 4G bilateral roaming agreement with LightSquared. LightSquared's satellite service will provide connectivity in rural communities in states served by ClearTalk.
On August 15, 2011, Texas-headquartered EarthComm Solutions, a communications service provider, signed a multi-year wholesale agreement with LightSquared. This agreement will allow EarthComm to provide its customers with both 4G-LTE and satellite services to small and mid-sized towns throughout the southwest United States.
On August 23, 2011, LightSquared and InterGlobe Communications, an integrated service provider in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, announced an agreement where InterGlobe, a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier will add high-speed mobile data and satellite services to its range of business communications solutions.
On August 30, 2011, Virginia-based companies Simplexity
and LightSquared announced a multi-year agreement that will enable Simplexity to provide voice and high-speed mobile data services that are private branded for its Mobile Virtual Network Operator partners; partners that include retailers, e-tailers, marketing organizations and affinity groups.
On September 6, 2011, LightSquared and Advanta Technologies, a Texas-based provider of voice, video and data services signed a multi-year partnership. Using LightSquared's nationwide 4G-LTE network, Advanta will expand the company's product portfolio to include wireless broadband devices, applications and other services.
On September 12, 2011, LightSquared announced it has signed a multi-year wholesale agreement with VoX Communications (VoX), a provider of wholesale and retail Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services for consumers and businesses.
On September 26, 2011, LightSquared signed a wholesale agreement with AirTouch Communications. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, AirTouch
was the first device manufacturer partner to use the LightSquared network to become a Mobile Virtual Network Operator.
On October 3, 2011, consumer electronics manufacturer Sharp
announced a strategic partnership with LightSquared. Sharp will be the first manufacturer to provide advanced smartphones and tablets which will operate on the integrated 4G-LTE network. Sharp will incorporate an extensive selection of unique device components, such as advanced LCD panels and camera modules, that will have embedded high-speed wireless capabilities on LightSquared's 4G-LTE network. LightSquared's network partners will be able to use these devices on their own networks and for their own services.
On October 5, 2011, LightSquared and CareConnect, an Ohio-based provider of communications solutions for the senior housing industry, announced an agreement that will enable CareConnect to deliver high-speed mobile data services to its customers. Residents in CareConnect-supported communities will be able to access and manage their daily schedules, receive community updates, access the Web, video chat with family and friends while using the latest mobile devices on the LightSquared network.
On October 12, 2011, Aircado, a wireless broadband service provider for "micropolitan" underserved smaller towns and cities representing 20 million people across the United States signed a wholesale agreement with LightSquared to deliver 4G-LTE mobile data services to Aircado customers across the United States. Aircado is based in Redmond, Washington.
On November 3, 2011, LightSquared signed an agreement with m-banco, a New York-based company that will enable m-banco customers to conduct financial transactions and data and voice communications using mobile devices.
On November 8, 2011,LightSquared signed Red Pocket Mobile, a Los Angeles-based mobile virtual network operator that offers no contract unlimited and pay-as-you-go plans across the country to a wholesale agreement that will allow Red Pocket to offer their subscribers high-speed wireless data access using LightSquared's 4G-LTE network.
On November 22, 2011, Soundtracker
, a geosocial Internet radio company based out of San Francisco, signed a wholesale agreement with LightSquared. The agreement will enable Soundtracker to offer its customers a product that bundles music with connectivity -- eliminating concerns that consumers will rack up huge monthly wireless fees while being able to listen to their music.
IEEE spectrum (1525-1559 MHz) and received FCC authorization in 2004 to use this L-Band spectrum to build its nationwide 4G-LTE wireless broadband network integrated with satellite coverage. On August 18, 2010, LightSquared announced it had delivered notice to Inmarsat
triggering Phase 1 of a Cooperation Agreement between Inmarsat and LightSquared. This deal increases the amount of contiguous spectrum over North America available to both companies and should help accelerate the build-out of the LightSquared LTE network. LightSquared has an option to implement Phase 2 of the Cooperation Agreement which will add further capacity to its network. On January 28, 2011, LightSquared delivered notice to Inmarsat triggering Phase 2 of the Cooperation Agreement between Inmarsat and LightSquared in order to meet the accelerated demand for capacity for LightSquared’s 4G-LTE network.
in Kazakhstan on November 14, 2010, “completing an important step on the way to providing combination satellite-terrestrial cell phone service in North America.” The satellite, one of the “largest commercial satellites ever built,” was launched aboard a Russian Proton-M/Briz-M rocket
, weighs 5.4 tons, and carries the largest commercial reflector antenna ever put into space.
satellites and terrestrial base stations to substantially improve coverage, capacity, and reliability of mobile communications without using any additional spectrum."
On January 26, 2011, The Federal Communications Commission granted LightSquared’s Request for Modification of its Authority for an Ancillary Terrestrial Component. The grant allowed LightSquared and its wholesale customers to offer terrestrial-only devices rather than having to incorporate both satellite and terrestrial services. "We find good cause to grant LightSquared a conditional waiver of Section 25.149(b)(4) of the Commission’s rules for services provided by LightSquared using its MSS (Mobile Satellite Services) L-band spectrum,” the FCC noted in its report.
Companies that provide global positioning systems, in addition to the United States Air Force, the operator of the GPS system, opposed the FCC waiver, saying that more time was needed to resolve concerns that LightSquared's service might interfere with their satellite-based offerings. LightSquared has promised to work with GPS providers and give the FCC monthly updates on a resolution to interference concerns.
In June 2011, LightSquared unveiled a new plan for deploying its network which would use the lower frequency band of 1526-1536MHz (23MHz away from GPS) for the initial deployment and delay use of the upper band closer to GPS until a later date. They also proposed a 3dB reduction in the base station radiated power.
On September 25, 2011, the company released an open letter claiming that tests requested by the FCC indicate that 99.5% of all commercial GPS devices would be compatible with LightSquared's network and that GPS manufacturers had recently developed technology that eliminates interference issues for the remaining 0.5% of devices that are categorically used for high-precision purposes. As of early October 2011, LightSquared has threatened to sue the FCC if its network is not approved.
(NTIA) chief Lawrence Strickling said that LightSquared's hybrid mobile broadband services raise "significant interference concerns. Grant of the LightSquared waiver would create a new interference environment and it is incumbent on the FCC to deal with the resulting interference issues before any interference occurs. Several federal agencies with vital concerns about this spectrum band, including the Departments of Defense, Transportation and Homeland Security, have informed NTIA that they believe the FCC should defer action on the LightSquared waiver until these interference concerns are satisfactorily addressed."
On February 17, 2011 former Deputy Secretary of Defense Bill Lynn
, along with the head of the USAF Space Command, Gen. William L. Shelton
, expressed concerns about potential GPS interference from the LightSquared network.
On April 5, 2011, with respect to concerns raised by the U.S. GPS Industry Council and NTIA about LightSquared’s MSS/ATC operations, the FCC states that LightSquared cannot commence offering a commercial terrestrial service until the FCC concludes that the harmful interference concerns have been resolved. They also emphasize that responsibility for protecting services rests not only on new entrants but also on incumbent users themselves, who must use receivers that reasonably discriminate against reception of signals outside their allocated spectrum. In the case of GPS, the FCC notes that LightSquared’s operations have been anticipated for at least 8 years, at lower power levels which would seamlessly interoperate with satellite services.
GPS receivers have relatively sensitive "front ends
" because of the extremely weak signal strength
, generally have little filtering
to further reduce the signal loss, and are subject to interference from high power signals in the L band
, something made worse when an active antenna system containing a LNA is added to the system. When MSS/ATC (Mobile Satellite Service/Ancillary Terrestrial Component) operation was first proposed, the number of ATC transmitters was thought to be small, because it was part of an integrated system with the satellite.
LightSquared has been coordinating with the other L-Band MSS providers in order to expand its spectrum, and now controls a nearly contiguous 20 MHz section through deals with other MSS providers, coordination with multiple international agencies, and the US FCC International Bureau.
The initial modification order to allow terrestrial-only devices onto LightSquared's network was filed on November 19, 2010, with comments due on December 2, 2010, and reply comments due on December 9, 2010. This time frame has the US Thanksgiving
holiday squarely in the middle of it, and allowed little official time for correspondence (six business days between filing and comments due, five business days between comments due and reply comments due). Several corporations and industry organizations feel that this is a major modification to LightSquared's MSS/ATC license, and wanted a 30-day comment period. An FCC spokesman said, "The FCC waiver approval granted to LightSquared was based on the merits of its proposal, following a process that included ample opportunity for comment."
With the possibility of tens of thousands of base stations that transmit in the satellite-to-earth part of the L-band MSS spectrum closest to the GPS spectrum, the high power signals (typically −70 dBm) will interfere with far weaker GPS signals from space (typically −150 to −130 dBm
at ground level). The GPS receivers specs never intended to deal with this situation, so they will have problems. However, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski stated on May 31, 2011 that "it should be no surprise to anyone involved in the LightSquared matter that the company was planning for some time to deploy a major terrestrial network in the spectrum adjacent to GPS," and that "all interested parties had ample time to comment in advance of these orders (granting the request to increase the power level of the base stations to the exact level the GPS industry is now criticizing). Indeed, the Harbinger/Skyterra license-transfer proceeding was pending at the Commission for nearly a year."
Since 2002, LightSquared has worked with the NTIA and the GPS industry to avoid interference between LightSquared’s network and GPS. LightSquared has agreed to operate its services within strict technical requirements. LightSquared’s predecessor agreed with GPS industry representatives to protect GPS with more stringent out‐of‐band‐emission limits than those required by the FCC’s rules. Beginning in 2009, LightSquared has sponsored tests with both GPS navigation
‐only devices and GPS‐capable phones. So far, such tests have shown very limited adverse impact on GPS as almost all receivers were resilient to predicted interference from LightSquared’s operations. This is in complete contrast to the results of testing conducted by Garmin
International which found that widespread, severe GPS jamming would occur. In addition, the FCC has initiated a process that hopes to ensure LightSquared’s service will not interfere with GPS. In order to resolve GPS interference concerns the FCC has established a working group composed of NTIA, other Federal agencies, the GPS community, and LightSquared to fully examine the potential for interference. LightSquared has agreed that this process must be completed to the FCC’s satisfaction before the company will offer commercial service.
At the level of GPS devices used for timing at CMRS base stations, throughout 2010, LightSquared successfully worked with the manufacturers of timing devices to design and implement a filter that eliminates interference for those CMRS base stations using GPS for timing.
In a January 6, 2011 letter from LightSquared to NTIA chief Lawrence Strickling, “LightSquared agreed to organize and lead an industry group major participants in the telecom and GPS industries, including chipset and device manufacturers, service providers, academic experts, user groups and others – including the FCC and NTIA officials. This group will examine the issue of interference to GPS devices and will consider both short-term and long-term technical solutions to the issue.”
(R-Ohio) asked the United States House Oversight and Government Committee to investigate LightSquared under the premise that the Federal Communications Commission waived a rule for LightSquared because Harbinger Capital's Phil Falcone had made sizable campaign contributions to President Barack Obama
.
LightSquared responded to Congressman Turner’s letter by noting that “the size and scope of LightSquared’s network, including the number of towers it would be allowed to construct and the allowable power levels, were approved back on February 25, 2005 – under the Bush Administration.” The Federal Election Commission has no record of Phil Falcone, a registered Republican, nor LightSquared Chairman and CEO Sanjiv Ahuja
of having ever contributed to President Obama’s political campaigns.
Among the issues being raised is if political contributors received favorable treatment by the Obama administration. Since 2007, a key investor in LightSquared, Phil Falcone, has donated $85,500 to Republicans and $50,500 to Democrats. President Barack Obama
has also been identified as an early investor in LightSquared. Multiple media sources have reported that an Air Force
General claimed that he had received political pressure to change his testimony regarding the negative effects of LightSquared technology. However, the General's spokesperson has denied there was any improper influence and has refuted those media reports by stating that the General's testimony was reviewed appropriately by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and other executive agencies via the established OMB (Office of Management and Budget) process.
Sen. Chuck Grassley
(R-Iowa), ranking minority member on the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary
has also asked Falcone and Sanjiv Ahuja
, CEO of LightSquared, to disclose their contacts with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission
(FCC), White House, and other government agencies.
4G
In telecommunications, 4G is the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards. It is a successor to the 3G and 2G families of standards. In 2009, the ITU-R organization specified the IMT-Advanced requirements for 4G standards, setting peak speed requirements for 4G service at 100 Mbit/s...
LTE (Long Term Evolution) wireless broadband communications network integrated with satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
coverage across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
LightSquared traces its roots back to 1988 and was known as American Mobile Satellite Corporation and later as Mobile Satellite Ventures after a merger between Motient Corporation and TMI Communications. It was most recently known as Skyterra, a company that provided comprehensive mobile satellite communications services. The company has operated in the North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n market with two geostationary satellites since 1995. MSAT-2 is licensed in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and was launched in 1995. MSAT
MSAT
MSAT, short for Mobile Satellite, is a satellite-based mobile telephony service developed by the National Research Council of Canada. Supported by a number of companies in the US and Canada, MSAT hosts a number of services, including the broadcast of CDGPS signals...
-1 is licensed in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and was launched in 1996.
LightSquared was granted the first license to deploy and provide terrestrial service in the L-Band spectrum in November 2004.
In 2011, LightSquared announced that it had signed a 15-year agreement with Sprint
Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel Corporation is an American telecommunications company based in Overland Park, Kansas. The company owns and operates Sprint, the third largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States, with 53.4 million customers, behind Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility...
to build and operate its wireless network.
Integrated 4G-LTE-Satellite Network
LightSquared plans to provide network capacity on a wholesale-only basis to wirelineWireline
In the oil and gas industry, the term wireline usually refers to a cabling technology used by operators of oil and gas wells to lower equipment or measurement devices into the well for the purposes of well intervention and reservoir evaluation....
and wireless
Wireless
Wireless telecommunications is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not physically connected. Distances can be short, such as a few meters for television remote control, or as far as thousands or even millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications...
communication service providers; cable operators; device manufacturers; web players; and content providers. LightSquared will sell its service to retailers and device makers, so that LTE wireless broadband service will be bundled into products. The integrated 4G-LTE-satellite network also will serve public sector
Public sector
The public sector, sometimes referred to as the state sector, is a part of the state that deals with either the production, delivery and allocation of goods and services by and for the government or its citizens, whether national, regional or local/municipal.Examples of public sector activity range...
projects including emergency preparedness and communications in times of crisis. The company announced in July 2010 that the network will be built by Nokia Siemens Networks
Nokia Siemens Networks
Nokia Siemens Networks is a global data networking and telecommunications equipment company headquartered in Espoo, Finland. It is a joint venture between Nokia of Finland and Siemens of Germany...
. LightSquared expects to launch commercially in the second half of 2011 with four trial markets - Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Denver and Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) sees LightSquared's plan as a way of enhancing competition and speeding the deployment of mobile broadband
Mobile Broadband
Mobile broadband is the marketing term for wireless Internet access through a portable modem, mobile phone or other mobile device.-Description:...
in the United States. LightSquared will help smaller, regional wireless operators compete and provide nationwide 4G service to rural and underserved areas. It also provides new entrants in the wireless market a chance to come up with new business models that change how consumers access wireless broadband services.
On March 22, 2011, LightSquared secured a deal with Leap Wireless
Leap Wireless
Leap Wireless International, Inc. is an American public telecommunications company that provides wireless services through its subsidiary, Cricket Communications...
, the parent of Cricket Communications
Cricket Communications
Cricket Communications, Inc. founded in 1999, also known as Cricket Wireless, provides wireless services to 7 million customers in the United States. The company is a subsidiary of Leap Wireless, utilizing its CDMA 1X and 1xEV-DO networks...
phone service, that will allow Cricket to offer customers access LightSquared's 4G-LTE network.
On March 23, 2011, LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja announced that Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
had signed a retail distribution agreement with LightSquared to resell LightSquared's 4G LTE-satellite service under the current Best Buy Connect brand.
On April 20, 2011, LightSquared entered into a bilateral roaming agreement with regional carrier c spire (formerly known as Cellular South) that will provide subscribers of Cellular South a nationwide 4G-LTE footprint, as well as satellite coverage in rural areas where there is no terrestrial network. The agreement is reciprocal in that it will also expand LightSquared's 4G-LTE coverage to additional rural communities.
On April 21, 2011, LightSquared and SI Wireless announced a partnership that will give SI Wireless customers throughout rural under-served markets access to LightSquared's 4G-LTE national broadband network and satellite coverage. The bilateral roaming agreement also delivers service to parts of rural Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
and Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
.
On June 28, 2011, Miami-based consumer electronics and telecommunications company netTALK
NetTALK
netTALK.com, Inc. is a telecommunications company based in Miami, Florida. The company's flagship product is the netTALK DUO, a VoIP consumer electronic device that enables users to make and receive phone calls over an Internet connection through a computer, Internet router, or modem, enabling...
signed a deal with LightSquared to provide its customers with services on LightSquared's integrated nationwide 4G-LTE network.
On July 28, 2011, LightSquared and Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel Corporation is an American telecommunications company based in Overland Park, Kansas. The company owns and operates Sprint, the third largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States, with 53.4 million customers, behind Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility...
entered into a 15 year agreement to allow Sprint Nextel spectrum hosting, network service, and 4G LTE Wholesale. In return LightSquared will also utilize Sprint Nextel's current 3G network. The deal will also accelerate LTE Network build out.
On August 4, 2011, PowerNet Global, a leading nationwide provider of integrated telecommunications services based in Cincinnati, Ohio, signed a multi-year agreement with LightSquared. Under the agreement, PowerNet Global will develop its own branded voice and high-speed mobile data services for its business and residential customers using LightSquared's nationwide 4G-LTE network.
On August 8, 2011, ClearTalk Wireless, a provider of flat-rate wireless phone services in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas, signed a 4G bilateral roaming agreement with LightSquared. LightSquared's satellite service will provide connectivity in rural communities in states served by ClearTalk.
On August 15, 2011, Texas-headquartered EarthComm Solutions, a communications service provider, signed a multi-year wholesale agreement with LightSquared. This agreement will allow EarthComm to provide its customers with both 4G-LTE and satellite services to small and mid-sized towns throughout the southwest United States.
On August 23, 2011, LightSquared and InterGlobe Communications, an integrated service provider in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, announced an agreement where InterGlobe, a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier will add high-speed mobile data and satellite services to its range of business communications solutions.
On August 30, 2011, Virginia-based companies Simplexity
Simplexity
Simplexity is an emerging theory that proposes a possible complementary relationship between complexity and simplicity. The term draws from General Systems Theory, Dialectics and Design...
and LightSquared announced a multi-year agreement that will enable Simplexity to provide voice and high-speed mobile data services that are private branded for its Mobile Virtual Network Operator partners; partners that include retailers, e-tailers, marketing organizations and affinity groups.
On September 6, 2011, LightSquared and Advanta Technologies, a Texas-based provider of voice, video and data services signed a multi-year partnership. Using LightSquared's nationwide 4G-LTE network, Advanta will expand the company's product portfolio to include wireless broadband devices, applications and other services.
On September 12, 2011, LightSquared announced it has signed a multi-year wholesale agreement with VoX Communications (VoX), a provider of wholesale and retail Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services for consumers and businesses.
On September 26, 2011, LightSquared signed a wholesale agreement with AirTouch Communications. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, AirTouch
AirTouch
AirTouch Communications was a U.S.-based wireless telephone service provider, created as a spin-off on Pacific Telesis on April 1, 1994. Its headquarters were in One California in the Financial District, San Francisco, California...
was the first device manufacturer partner to use the LightSquared network to become a Mobile Virtual Network Operator.
On October 3, 2011, consumer electronics manufacturer Sharp
Sharp
Sharp or SHARP may refer to:*Sharp *Sharp , a flour made from hard wheat*Sharp , Canadian magazine*Sharp Daily, a free newspaper published in Taiwan and Hong Kong*Sharp...
announced a strategic partnership with LightSquared. Sharp will be the first manufacturer to provide advanced smartphones and tablets which will operate on the integrated 4G-LTE network. Sharp will incorporate an extensive selection of unique device components, such as advanced LCD panels and camera modules, that will have embedded high-speed wireless capabilities on LightSquared's 4G-LTE network. LightSquared's network partners will be able to use these devices on their own networks and for their own services.
On October 5, 2011, LightSquared and CareConnect, an Ohio-based provider of communications solutions for the senior housing industry, announced an agreement that will enable CareConnect to deliver high-speed mobile data services to its customers. Residents in CareConnect-supported communities will be able to access and manage their daily schedules, receive community updates, access the Web, video chat with family and friends while using the latest mobile devices on the LightSquared network.
On October 12, 2011, Aircado, a wireless broadband service provider for "micropolitan" underserved smaller towns and cities representing 20 million people across the United States signed a wholesale agreement with LightSquared to deliver 4G-LTE mobile data services to Aircado customers across the United States. Aircado is based in Redmond, Washington.
On November 3, 2011, LightSquared signed an agreement with m-banco, a New York-based company that will enable m-banco customers to conduct financial transactions and data and voice communications using mobile devices.
On November 8, 2011,LightSquared signed Red Pocket Mobile, a Los Angeles-based mobile virtual network operator that offers no contract unlimited and pay-as-you-go plans across the country to a wholesale agreement that will allow Red Pocket to offer their subscribers high-speed wireless data access using LightSquared's 4G-LTE network.
On November 22, 2011, Soundtracker
SoundTracker
SoundTracker is a free tracker for Unix-like operating systems running X Window System for composing music to be saved in module files.- Description :...
, a geosocial Internet radio company based out of San Francisco, signed a wholesale agreement with LightSquared. The agreement will enable Soundtracker to offer its customers a product that bundles music with connectivity -- eliminating concerns that consumers will rack up huge monthly wireless fees while being able to listen to their music.
Spectrum
LightSquared controls 59 MHz of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
IEEE spectrum (1525-1559 MHz) and received FCC authorization in 2004 to use this L-Band spectrum to build its nationwide 4G-LTE wireless broadband network integrated with satellite coverage. On August 18, 2010, LightSquared announced it had delivered notice to Inmarsat
Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc is a British satellite telecommunications company, offering global, mobile services. It provides telephony and data services to users worldwide, via portable or mobile terminals which communicate to ground stations through eleven geostationary telecommunications satellites...
triggering Phase 1 of a Cooperation Agreement between Inmarsat and LightSquared. This deal increases the amount of contiguous spectrum over North America available to both companies and should help accelerate the build-out of the LightSquared LTE network. LightSquared has an option to implement Phase 2 of the Cooperation Agreement which will add further capacity to its network. On January 28, 2011, LightSquared delivered notice to Inmarsat triggering Phase 2 of the Cooperation Agreement between Inmarsat and LightSquared in order to meet the accelerated demand for capacity for LightSquared’s 4G-LTE network.
Satellite launch
LightSquared’s SkyTerra 1 launched from the Baikonur CosmodromeBaikonur Cosmodrome
The Baikonur Cosmodrome , also called Tyuratam, is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility. It is located in the desert steppe of Kazakhstan, about east of the Aral Sea, north of the Syr Darya river, near Tyuratam railway station, at 90 meters above sea level...
in Kazakhstan on November 14, 2010, “completing an important step on the way to providing combination satellite-terrestrial cell phone service in North America.” The satellite, one of the “largest commercial satellites ever built,” was launched aboard a Russian Proton-M/Briz-M rocket
Proton-M
The Proton-M, GRAU index 8K82M or 8K82KM, is a Russian carrier rocket derived from the Soviet-developed Proton. It is built by Khrunichev, and launched from sites 81 and 200 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Commercial launches are marketed by International Launch Services , and generally...
, weighs 5.4 tons, and carries the largest commercial reflector antenna ever put into space.
FCC Authorization
On March 1, 2001, LightSquared's predecessor, Mobile Satellite Ventures applied to the FCC to use a "highly innovative and spectrum-efficient combination of spot-beamSpot beam
A spot beam, in telecommunications parlance, is a satellite signal that is specially concentrated in power A spot beam, in telecommunications parlance, is a satellite signal that is specially concentrated in power A spot beam, in telecommunications parlance, is a satellite signal that is specially...
satellites and terrestrial base stations to substantially improve coverage, capacity, and reliability of mobile communications without using any additional spectrum."
On January 26, 2011, The Federal Communications Commission granted LightSquared’s Request for Modification of its Authority for an Ancillary Terrestrial Component. The grant allowed LightSquared and its wholesale customers to offer terrestrial-only devices rather than having to incorporate both satellite and terrestrial services. "We find good cause to grant LightSquared a conditional waiver of Section 25.149(b)(4) of the Commission’s rules for services provided by LightSquared using its MSS (Mobile Satellite Services) L-band spectrum,” the FCC noted in its report.
Companies that provide global positioning systems, in addition to the United States Air Force, the operator of the GPS system, opposed the FCC waiver, saying that more time was needed to resolve concerns that LightSquared's service might interfere with their satellite-based offerings. LightSquared has promised to work with GPS providers and give the FCC monthly updates on a resolution to interference concerns.
In June 2011, LightSquared unveiled a new plan for deploying its network which would use the lower frequency band of 1526-1536MHz (23MHz away from GPS) for the initial deployment and delay use of the upper band closer to GPS until a later date. They also proposed a 3dB reduction in the base station radiated power.
On September 25, 2011, the company released an open letter claiming that tests requested by the FCC indicate that 99.5% of all commercial GPS devices would be compatible with LightSquared's network and that GPS manufacturers had recently developed technology that eliminates interference issues for the remaining 0.5% of devices that are categorically used for high-precision purposes. As of early October 2011, LightSquared has threatened to sue the FCC if its network is not approved.
Interference issues
In a January 12, 2011 letter to the FCC, National Telecommunications and Information AdministrationNational Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Commerce that serves as the President's principal adviser on telecommunications policies pertaining to the United States' economic and technological advancement and to regulation of the...
(NTIA) chief Lawrence Strickling said that LightSquared's hybrid mobile broadband services raise "significant interference concerns. Grant of the LightSquared waiver would create a new interference environment and it is incumbent on the FCC to deal with the resulting interference issues before any interference occurs. Several federal agencies with vital concerns about this spectrum band, including the Departments of Defense, Transportation and Homeland Security, have informed NTIA that they believe the FCC should defer action on the LightSquared waiver until these interference concerns are satisfactorily addressed."
On February 17, 2011 former Deputy Secretary of Defense Bill Lynn
William J. Lynn III
William J. Lynn III is a former United States Deputy Secretary of Defense. Before that he was Under Secretary of Defense and a lobbyist for Raytheon.-Biography:...
, along with the head of the USAF Space Command, Gen. William L. Shelton
William L. Shelton
William Lee Shelton is a United States Air Force four-star general who serves as the current Commander, Air Force Space Command. He previously was the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and Director, Air Staff. He previously served as Chief of Warfighting Integration and...
, expressed concerns about potential GPS interference from the LightSquared network.
On April 5, 2011, with respect to concerns raised by the U.S. GPS Industry Council and NTIA about LightSquared’s MSS/ATC operations, the FCC states that LightSquared cannot commence offering a commercial terrestrial service until the FCC concludes that the harmful interference concerns have been resolved. They also emphasize that responsibility for protecting services rests not only on new entrants but also on incumbent users themselves, who must use receivers that reasonably discriminate against reception of signals outside their allocated spectrum. In the case of GPS, the FCC notes that LightSquared’s operations have been anticipated for at least 8 years, at lower power levels which would seamlessly interoperate with satellite services.
GPS receivers have relatively sensitive "front ends
RF front end
In a radio receiver circuit, the RF front end is a generic term for all the circuitry between the antenna and the first intermediate frequency stage. It consists of all the components in the receiver that process the signal at the original incoming radio frequency , before it is converted to a...
" because of the extremely weak signal strength
Signal strength
In telecommunications, particularly in radio, signal strength refers to the magnitude of the electric field at a reference point that is a significant distance from the transmitting antenna. It may also be referred to as received signal level or field strength. Typically, it is expressed in...
, generally have little filtering
Electronic filter
Electronic filters are electronic circuits which perform signal processing functions, specifically to remove unwanted frequency components from the signal, to enhance wanted ones, or both...
to further reduce the signal loss, and are subject to interference from high power signals in the L band
L band
L band refers to four different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum: 40 to 60 GHz , 1 to 2 GHz , 1565 nm to 1625 nm , and around 3.5 micrometres .-NATO L band:...
, something made worse when an active antenna system containing a LNA is added to the system. When MSS/ATC (Mobile Satellite Service/Ancillary Terrestrial Component) operation was first proposed, the number of ATC transmitters was thought to be small, because it was part of an integrated system with the satellite.
LightSquared has been coordinating with the other L-Band MSS providers in order to expand its spectrum, and now controls a nearly contiguous 20 MHz section through deals with other MSS providers, coordination with multiple international agencies, and the US FCC International Bureau.
The initial modification order to allow terrestrial-only devices onto LightSquared's network was filed on November 19, 2010, with comments due on December 2, 2010, and reply comments due on December 9, 2010. This time frame has the US Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
holiday squarely in the middle of it, and allowed little official time for correspondence (six business days between filing and comments due, five business days between comments due and reply comments due). Several corporations and industry organizations feel that this is a major modification to LightSquared's MSS/ATC license, and wanted a 30-day comment period. An FCC spokesman said, "The FCC waiver approval granted to LightSquared was based on the merits of its proposal, following a process that included ample opportunity for comment."
With the possibility of tens of thousands of base stations that transmit in the satellite-to-earth part of the L-band MSS spectrum closest to the GPS spectrum, the high power signals (typically −70 dBm) will interfere with far weaker GPS signals from space (typically −150 to −130 dBm
DBm
dBm is an abbreviation for the power ratio in decibels of the measured power referenced to one milliwatt . It is used in radio, microwave and fiber optic networks as a convenient measure of absolute power because of its capability to express both very large and very small values in a short form...
at ground level). The GPS receivers specs never intended to deal with this situation, so they will have problems. However, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski stated on May 31, 2011 that "it should be no surprise to anyone involved in the LightSquared matter that the company was planning for some time to deploy a major terrestrial network in the spectrum adjacent to GPS," and that "all interested parties had ample time to comment in advance of these orders (granting the request to increase the power level of the base stations to the exact level the GPS industry is now criticizing). Indeed, the Harbinger/Skyterra license-transfer proceeding was pending at the Commission for nearly a year."
Since 2002, LightSquared has worked with the NTIA and the GPS industry to avoid interference between LightSquared’s network and GPS. LightSquared has agreed to operate its services within strict technical requirements. LightSquared’s predecessor agreed with GPS industry representatives to protect GPS with more stringent out‐of‐band‐emission limits than those required by the FCC’s rules. Beginning in 2009, LightSquared has sponsored tests with both GPS navigation
GPS navigation device
A GPS navigation device is any device that receives Global Positioning System signals for the purpose of determining the device's current location on Earth...
‐only devices and GPS‐capable phones. So far, such tests have shown very limited adverse impact on GPS as almost all receivers were resilient to predicted interference from LightSquared’s operations. This is in complete contrast to the results of testing conducted by Garmin
Garmin
Garmin Ltd. , incorporated in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, is the parent company of a group of companies founded in 1989 by Gary Burrell and Min Kao , that develops consumer, aviation, and marine technologies for the Global Positioning System...
International which found that widespread, severe GPS jamming would occur. In addition, the FCC has initiated a process that hopes to ensure LightSquared’s service will not interfere with GPS. In order to resolve GPS interference concerns the FCC has established a working group composed of NTIA, other Federal agencies, the GPS community, and LightSquared to fully examine the potential for interference. LightSquared has agreed that this process must be completed to the FCC’s satisfaction before the company will offer commercial service.
At the level of GPS devices used for timing at CMRS base stations, throughout 2010, LightSquared successfully worked with the manufacturers of timing devices to design and implement a filter that eliminates interference for those CMRS base stations using GPS for timing.
In a January 6, 2011 letter from LightSquared to NTIA chief Lawrence Strickling, “LightSquared agreed to organize and lead an industry group major participants in the telecom and GPS industries, including chipset and device manufacturers, service providers, academic experts, user groups and others – including the FCC and NTIA officials. This group will examine the issue of interference to GPS devices and will consider both short-term and long-term technical solutions to the issue.”
Controversy and Congressional committee investigation
On September 15, 2011, Representative Michael TurnerMichael Turner
Michael Turner may refer to:*Michael Turner , American Football running back for the Atlanta Falcons*Michael Turner , Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club...
(R-Ohio) asked the United States House Oversight and Government Committee to investigate LightSquared under the premise that the Federal Communications Commission waived a rule for LightSquared because Harbinger Capital's Phil Falcone had made sizable campaign contributions to President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
LightSquared responded to Congressman Turner’s letter by noting that “the size and scope of LightSquared’s network, including the number of towers it would be allowed to construct and the allowable power levels, were approved back on February 25, 2005 – under the Bush Administration.” The Federal Election Commission has no record of Phil Falcone, a registered Republican, nor LightSquared Chairman and CEO Sanjiv Ahuja
Sanjiv Ahuja
Sanjiv Ahuja is currently Chairman and CEO of LightSquared a company that is developing a wholesale-only nationwide 4G LTE Long Term Evolution wireless broadband communications network integrated with satellite coverage. The company is the result of Harbinger Capital Partners acquisition in March,...
of having ever contributed to President Obama’s political campaigns.
Among the issues being raised is if political contributors received favorable treatment by the Obama administration. Since 2007, a key investor in LightSquared, Phil Falcone, has donated $85,500 to Republicans and $50,500 to Democrats. President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
has also been identified as an early investor in LightSquared. Multiple media sources have reported that an Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
General claimed that he had received political pressure to change his testimony regarding the negative effects of LightSquared technology. However, the General's spokesperson has denied there was any improper influence and has refuted those media reports by stating that the General's testimony was reviewed appropriately by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and other executive agencies via the established OMB (Office of Management and Budget) process.
Sen. Chuck Grassley
Chuck Grassley
Charles Ernest "Chuck" Grassley is the senior United States Senator from Iowa . A member of Republican Party, he previously served in the served in the United States House of Representatives and the Iowa state legislature...
(R-Iowa), ranking minority member on the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary
United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary
The United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary is a standing committee of the United States Senate, of the United States Congress. The Judiciary Committee, with 18 members, is charged with conducting hearings prior to the Senate votes on confirmation of federal judges nominated by the...
has also asked Falcone and Sanjiv Ahuja
Sanjiv Ahuja
Sanjiv Ahuja is currently Chairman and CEO of LightSquared a company that is developing a wholesale-only nationwide 4G LTE Long Term Evolution wireless broadband communications network integrated with satellite coverage. The company is the result of Harbinger Capital Partners acquisition in March,...
, CEO of LightSquared, to disclose their contacts with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC), White House, and other government agencies.
Further reading
- LightSquared: The answer to U.S. wireless competition? - CNET
- NSN Lands $7B LTE Deal in US - Light Reading
- LightSquared to Cover U.S. with LTE & Satellite Network - Phone Scoop
- LightSquared: $7 billion LTE network built by Nokia Siemens Networks, launching end of next year - Into Mobile
- Huge: Hybrid satellite-LTE network launches under name Lightsquared – Betanews
- Harbinger forges $7B LTE pact with Nokia Siemens – FierceWireless
- FCC grants LightSquared approval to use satellite airwaves for cell phones - Washington Post
- - US National Executive Committee for Space-Based PNT
- - GPS World
- Susceptibility of GPS devices to interference - CNNMoney
External links
- LightSquared
- Lightsquared Backgrounder
- NTIA FCC LightSquared Interference
- Lightsquared LTE Interference
- FCC Requested to Authorize a Terrestrial Service...
- Data Shows Disastrous GPS Jamming from FCC-Approved Broadcaster
- Trimble testifies at United States House of Representatives subcommittee on interference against LightSquared
- Inmarsat's Chief Doubts Severity of LightSquared-GPS Interference Issue
- Coalition to Save Our GPS, an advocacy group opposed to increased use of the spectrum near the GPS frequencies
- Wireless Modeling of LightSquared & GPS spectrum Wireless modeling of LightSquared & GPS Spectrum near San Francisco Bay Area.]