Ligado Supporters, Critics Remain at Odds Over License Modification Amendment
Ligado bashers and backers continue to clash over its license modification application amendment for its proposed ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) broadband network (see 1807100046), in replies in FCC docket 11-109 that were due Thursday and posted through Friday. NTIA didn't…
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comment on when it expects to have its own recommendation to the FCC. Ligado supporters noted the need for spectrum for mobile and 5G uses. "Seize this opportunity to promote more efficient use of spectrum," the Competitive Carriers Association asked. L-band user Inmarsat said Ligado's proposed operations in the band will comply with rules and there's an inter-operator cooperation agreement between the companies on interference concerns for Inmarsat transceivers. Ligado has made "extraordinary efforts" to keep its commitments to address potential interference to neighboring services, and acted to address concerns, said the Wireless Infrastructure Association. The record's clear that GPS devices, including certified aviation ones, will be protected, and other stakeholders won't face harmful interference from the ATC deployment, Ligado said. Arguments that unmanned aircraft operating within a 250-foot cylinder of a Ligado transmitter might lose some navigational accuracy aren't backed by data, it said. Ligado said outside analysis shows Iridium won't have harmful interference from Ligado activity in the 1627.5-1637.5 MHz band. Weather and aviation interests said industry concerns about Ligado's ATC "have only intensified" over the past year. They said changes to the ATC proposal made to address the concerns of aviation interests don't address interference concerns involving uncertified GPS systems, satellite communication services or the concerns of the weather data community. They said aside from the harmful effects to a variety of GPS receivers, planned Ligado operations in the 1672.5-1637.5 MHz band also raise red flags about interference to mobile satellite systems. The 27 signers included AccuWeather, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the American Meteorological Society, Iridium, Lockheed Martin, the National Weather Association and Rockwell Collins. The Free State Foundation, which backed Ligado's application (see 1803140014), said since the license modification was filed in December 2015, the mid-band spectrum has gone unused, and once NTIA weighs in on Ligado's network proposal, the FCC should move quickly.