FAA Says Evaluation of Ligado TLPS Plans Covers Array of Issues

Once it has full understanding of "the potential interaction" between Ligado's planned LTE network and certified avionics, the Federal Aviation Administration plans to share that information with the aviation community, the FAA emailed us Wednesday. Ligado this week laid out some details of the conversations it has been having with the regulator about the company's proposed broadband terrestrial low-power service (TLPS) (see 1608230023), which would need FCC OK and is subject to a draft approval order there. The FAA said its interests also include the compatibility of the TLPS plan with uncertified GPS receivers used in aviation and that it's taking part in a Transportation Department initiative "to evaluate their susceptibility to interference." And the regulator said it's evaluating how TLPS might interact with aviation-centric satellite communications. Some aviation and aeronautics interests have voiced concerns about effects of its proposed LTE network on aviation GPS receivers (see 1608010036).