New Potential Threat to GPS Signals

A few years ago, a company called LightSquared had a plan to use ground-based technology for high-speed cellular internet. LightSquared functioned in a band next to GPS signal which had the potential of interfering with the GPS signals. GPS users worked together to oppose LightSquared’s proposal. The effort to defeat LightSquared’s proposal was successful.

Recently, a company called Ligado has purchased the assets of LightSquared. Ligado has received FCC approval to move forward with LightSquared’s proposal. The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) is again opposing the effort along with a list of other associations. 

The Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors (WSLS) Board of Directors discussed the issue at a recent meeting. Rather than simply generating a single letter of opposition from WSLS, it was felt that direct communication from 1000s of land surveyors and other land records professionals to members in Congress would be a more effective way to impact legislators. WSLS will still prepare a letter but contact from land records professionals from across Wisconsin can be remarkable impactful.

NSPS has a page dedicated to the issues to assist in communicating opposition. There are two bills being proposed, one in the House and one in the Senate.  Please consider asking your two senators to co-sponsor the senate bill and your representative to co-sponsor the House Bill.  Items and verbiage that can assist you are found at the NSPS site: Ligado – National Society of Professional Surveyors (nsps.us.com)