 With a recent threat to the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Coalition to Save Our GPS was created to inform the public and protect the GPS network. In January, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted LightSquared, a wireless broadband company, a conditional waiver allowing them to use the spectrum neighboring GPS satellites. This waiver was unprecedented since the spectrum has always been reserved solely for GPS satellites. The sheer magnitude of LightSquared's 40,000 ground stations is expected to significantly weaken the GPS signal. LightSquared signals will be up to one billion times stronger causing interference within the GPS network. The interference will impact receivers on Earth and possibly cause dead spots. With millions of people relying on GPS, ranging from government agencies to everyday consumers, the number of possible issues is daunting. Since its formation, the Coalition to Save Our GPS has been gaining momentum. Garmin, TomTom, UPS, Caterpillar and John Deere are some of the well-known companies who have decided to take a stance against the FCC's waiver. All of these companies rely heavily on GPS devices to run their businesses. With these brand names on board, the coalition is expecting a steady increase in membership. |
