LightSquared will not give up.
The company, which recently emerged from bankruptcy after transferring control of its spectrum is still working to alleviate fears that deployment on its airwaves will not interfere with GPS operations.
LightSquared on Tuesday said that it had reached an agreement with Deere & Company on spectrum use parameters for terrestrial service in the L-Band relating to the company’s licenses as regulated by the FCC.
In other words LightSquared is now putting forth an example of the kinds of cooperation it thinks might result in a successful wireless network deployment on its airwaves. This kind of example could go a long way in paving a path to smooth things over with GPS companies like Garmin, which have objected to LightSquared’s plans.
The agreement between LightSquared and Deere would mark then end of a long disagreement between the two companies. Under the agreement, LightSquared has agreed to reduce out-of-band emissions from currently authorized levels and to file a request at the FCC forgoing terrestrial use on parts of portions of the spectrum. If those conditions are met, Deere has agreed not to object to a terrestrial deployment on LightSquared’s spectrum located between 1627-1680 MHz and the band at 1526-1536 MHz.
The parties also finalized settlement of a lawsuit involving claims between the parties.
Doug Smith, the new CEO at LightSquared, said in a statement that the company believe the agreement sets a precedent for future action.
“We believe this agreement sets forth the framework that enables GPS and broadband to peacefully coexist,” Smith said, “and we will continue to work with industry and government stakeholders to reach consensus that enables this spectrum to be utilized.”
The announcement comes following the FCC’s approval of LightSquared’s move to transfer control of its spectrum to JPMorgan Chase & Co., clearing the way for the company to exit Chapter 11.
LightSquared’s plans for a hybrid terrestrial, sattelite network was killed by the FCC over fears that such a network would interfere with GPS systems. That decision eventually forced the company into bankruptcy.
A final decision on LightSquared’s plans remains on the FCC’s docket but there is no timetable for action on the matter.
In March of this year, a judge approved LightSquared’s restructuring plans, which led to a $1.4 billion cash payment to Dish CEO Charlie Ergen for a portion of LightSquared’s debt he purchased.
The way things have shaken out are a far cry from the company’s original vision of launching a wholesale broadband network that would sell data to third-party retailers, MVNOs and handset makers.
