What would you rather have — a superfast data connection on your cellphone , or a dependable GPS signaling to pinpoint your location ? If a plan to set up a net of base station for the new 4 G mobile wireless protocol goes ahead , it may intend you’re able to have one but not the other .
GPS satellites channelise their navigation signals in the range 1559 to 1610 megahertz . Telecoms firmLightSquaredof Reston , Virginia , has long convey with its satellites using low - mogul signal in the side by side oftenness banding , from 1525 to 1559 MHz , part of the “ L ring ” . Despite the tightness of the frequencies , satnav receivers have so far operated without any hindrance problems .
But in January , the USFederal Communications Commission(FCC ) gave preliminary commendation to a plan by LightSquared to progress 40,000 new 4 thousand base stations on the ground . These stations would spread much unattackable sign in the 1525 to 1559 MHz range , to link to cellphones .
Based on lab simulations of the new transmissions , Scott Burgett and Bronson Hokuf , locomotive engineer with satnav manufacturer Garmin International in Olathe , Kansas , say this will seriously damage GPS reception . In areport to the FCClast month , they say that overlap between the two systems are inevitable , and that this “ will result in far-flung , severe Global Positioning System jamming [ and ] will traverse GPS service over vast areas of the United States ” .
Jeff Carlisle of LightSquared says it is theGPS receivers , not his company ’s base station , that are at fault . “ The issue is that some GPS receivers may be able to see into the L stria where we lock , ” he tell New Scientist .
The stakes are high . By 2015 , LightSquared await to expend $ 6 to $ 8 billion to complete the internet , which promises to bring download speeds of 5 to 10 megabits per secondly to cellphone users . Meanwhile , over a billion GPS receiver are in use worldwide .
LightSquaredhas until 25 February to relegate a plan to the FCCfor working with the GPS industry and federal agencies to analyse hinderance consequence ; a final report detailing a result is due by 15 June . LightSquared wants all future tests to be performed with literal transmitters rather than simulator .
New Scientistreports , explores and interprets the upshot of human endeavour congeal in the context of society and culture , providing comprehensive reportage of science and technology news .
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