GPS Controversy Boils Over

Cell Phone Tower: CC Image courtesy of jscheib on Flickr

One of the hottest topics of debates in the GA community is the introduction of LightSquared‘s potential nationwide network of 40,000 cell phone tower repeaters broadcasting a 4G signal. LightSquared promises to bring broadband access to communities outside our nations’ largest urban areas.

There is a catch.

The frequency spectrum that LightSquared has been licensed to use potentially conflicts with GPS receivers making them unreliable. Of course, this is a major problem if you’re using GPS to navigate or fly an approach in the clouds.

The FAA is undergoing a test in New Mexico now, but that hasn’t stopped some prominent names in aviation from already weighing in. Here’s Dave Higdon’s take on the Uncontrolled Airspace blog.