By Joelle Tessler
Chicago Sun-Times
WASHINGTON — A new, ultra-fast wireless Internet network is threatening to overpower GPS signals across the U.S. and interfere with everything from airplanes to police cars to consumer navigation devices.
The problem stems from a recent government decision to let a Virginia company called LightSquared build a nationwide broadband network using airwaves next to those used for GPS. Manufacturers of GPS equipment warn that strong signals from the planned network could jam existing navigation systems.
A technical fix could be expensive -- billions of dollars by one estimate. Theres no agreement on who should pay. Government officials pledge to block LightSquared from turning on its network as scheduled this year unless they receive assurances that GPS systems will still work. The stakes are high not only for the GPS industry and its users, but also for those who would use LightSquared’s network.
In approving it, the Federal Communications Commission seeks to boost wireless competition and bring faster and cheaper Internet connections to all Americans seven in remote corners of the country.
LightSquared and the FCC both insist the new network can co-exist with GPS systems. But device makers fear GPS signals will suffer the way a radio station can get drowned out by a stronger broadcast in a nearby channel. One of the biggest risks is to the GPS navigation systems used by about 40 percent of commercial and private planes.
Backup systems that rely on ground-based radio signals are not as accurate and have coverage gaps. Some older private planes have no backup at all.
“With GPS interference, a pilot can go off course and not even realize it,” said Chris Dancy, a spokesman for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
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