Wheeler Addresses Congressional Worries on Globalstar

Chairman Tom Wheeler is defending the Globalstar order on circulation from congressional red flags raised about how its LTE network might interfere with assisted listening devices like Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids. Identical letters (here and here) from Wheeler to David McKinley, R-W.Va., and Mike Thompson, D-Calif., were posted Friday in docket 13-213. "I share your interest in ensuring that individuals with hearing loss are not negatively impacted by this proceeding," Wheeler said, saying the draft order on circulation carries conditions safeguarding protection of Bluetooth and other spectrum uses from Globalstar's terrestrial Wi-Fi network and that it "reaffirms the Commission's commitment" to monitoring for impacts on other spectrum users "and to take action, if necessary."