Globalstar, Google Duel Over TLPS Public Benefits

Globalstar and Google are at odds over whether the satellite company's proposed private Wi-Fi channel for broadband terrestrial low-power service (TLPS) in the 2.4 GHz band will benefit the public at all. Given that Globalstar is seeking exclusive Wi-Fi use of channel 14, it seems the public interest would better be served by allowing general unlicensed use of the channel "while still protecting Globalstar's satellite services," Google said in a filing posted Tuesday in docket 13-213. New spectrum-sharing technologies available, such as interference-avoidance techniques, "need to be considered before the Commission could conclude that limiting Channel 14 exclusively to a comparatively miniscule [sic] number of Globalstar users best serves the public interest," Google said. However, Globalstar said in a docket 13-213 filing posted Wednesday in response, that its own recent tests showing TLPS can alleviate Wi-Fi network congestion show its public benefit (see 1509110018). Meanwhile, Google "is advancing its self-interest by proposing to replace the Commission’s existing flexible spectrum policies with a forced 'one-size-fits-all' approach rendering licensed spectrum subject to sharing obligations that Google itself could administer," Globalstar said. Google has shown no support to back its claim that general unlicensed use of channel 14 could be done while protecting Globalstar services from interference, the company said. And Globalstar again prodded the FCC (see 1510050057) to approve TLPS.