LightSquared Asks FCC for Help in Settling GPS Industry Worries

LightSquared is asking for FCC help in obtaining GPS receiver designs, having confidential talks with the major GPS firms about the economic issues concerning them and meeting in-person with GPS executives to hammer out industry issues with the satellite company. LightSquared CEO Doug Smith met Philip Verveer, senior counselor to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, to talk about GPS industry concerns as LightSquared makes plans for its L-band spectrum once it emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, said an ex parte notice posted Monday in docket 12-340. Smith "emphasized that he is certain LightSquared and the major GPS device firms can reach a reasonable business compromise," LightSquared said, saying FCC intervention "could help resolve the issues." LightSquared also has hired a consulting firm, Roberson & Associates, to study interference issues between GPS services and broadband (see 1506250008).