Ligado Critics Warn Commerce About Threats to IoT L-Band

Critics of Ligado's plans are taking their arguments to the Commerce Department. In a letter dated Sept. 4 to Secretary Wilbur Ross, National Space Council Executive Secretary Scott Pace and White House Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios and copied to the FCC chief, the satellite, aviation and weather data interests argued that U.S. space leadership relies on stable spectrum for satellites and consistent interference protection, and that Ligado's plans run contrary to those needs. They said satellite users of the L-band rely on spectrum allocation protection and on harmonization with international allocations, and Ligado's plan to use 40 MHz of L-band for mobile broadband/IoT terrestrial service "runs afoul" of those principles. It would "fundamentally change" the nature of the band and cause harmful interference to adjacent satellite services, they said. They said it would hamper efforts to protect domestic satellite companies "from ill-conceived international interference-causing proposals," especially as Ligado "surely" seeks to get similar approvals from other nations. Signatories include the Aerospace Industries Association, American Meteorological Society, American Weather and Climate Industry Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Iridium and National Weather Association. Ligado emailed Wednesday that the letter "presents again the false choice that policy makers should choose either satellite or mobile broadband services to support the Internet of Things. Ligado, which for twenty years has been in the satellite business, realizes as others in the industry and policymakers do that limited spectrum can and must support a number of national priorities -- critical IoT applications, satellite services, broadband and more. The expert spectrum agencies at NTIA and the FCC understand these complexities and are working tirelessly to make timely and balanced decisions that advance all sectors of the U.S. economy.”