Washington, D.C. – Today, citing risks to the reliability and function of Global Positioning System (GPS) radio navigation signals, the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Committee Member Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) called on Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to both withdraw his draft order and reject Ligado Networks’ application for a license modification to facilitate 5G and Internet of Things services in the United States.
The Members wrote: “Approval of the Ligado Networks’ application would result in unacceptable interference with GPS signals according to numerous government studies – including information sent only last week to the FCC from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Furthermore, improper resolution of issues with the 5.9GHz spectrum would limit the Nation’s ability to establish new innovations in intelligent transportation systems, such as automated vehicles, that could eliminate tens of thousands of highway deaths each year.”
The Members continued: “…it makes little sense to risk the future reliability and performance of GPS especially as our economy and national security become ever more reliant on accurate, precise and reliable position, navigation and timing transmissions.”
Last week, Chair DeFazio and Rep. Garamendi (D-CA) urged U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, whose department is the lead Federal agency for civil Positioning, Navigation, and Timing requirements, to share previously undisclosed correspondence, studies and analyses on the matter with Congress. U.S. DOT has also expressed serious concerns with Ligado’s license application.
The full letter to FCC Chair Pai can be found here and below:
April 17, 2020
The Honorable Ajit Pai
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Mr. Chairman:
It has come to our attention that you circulated a draft order among commissioners at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to approve the Ligado Networks’ application for a license modification to facilitate 5G and Internet of Things services in the United States.
We are highly concerned that this action could jeopardize the reliability and function of Global Positioning System (GPS) radio navigation signals. Since GPS is imbedded in the function of multiple infrastructure sectors critical to U.S. national and economic security, we urge strongly that you withdraw this order and deny approval of Ligado’ s license application.
Proper, impartial resolution of spectrum issues is essential for the future of America’s transportation systems. Approval of the Ligado Networks’ application would result in unacceptable interference with GPS signals according to numerous government studies – including information sent only last week to the FCC from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Furthermore, improper resolution of issues with the 5.9GHz spectrum would limit the Nation’s ability to establish new innovations in intelligent transportation systems, such as automated vehicles, that could eliminate tens of thousands of highway deaths each year.
While we remain supportive of the FCC’s interest in advancing 5G capability in the United States, it makes little sense to risk the future reliability and performance of GPS especially as our economy and national security become ever more reliant on accurate, precise and reliable position, navigation and timing transmissions. Should the FCC have, as you contend, expert analysis that differs from that of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Defense, we urge the FCC to assess these technical disagreements so that they can be publicly examined, discussed and fully understood before any final decision is made.
Until such time, we oppose the approval by the FCC of the Ligado Networks’ application. Thank you for your consideration of and attention to this request.
Sincerely,
Peter A. DeFazio John Garamendi
Chairman Member of Congress
Committee on Transportation
And Infrastructure
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