FCC mulls plan to reallocate RF spectrum for 5G communications amid potential harm from GPS interference

April 23, 2020
If approved, the plan could override military concerns of operational impacts to the warfighter, while not feasible, affordable, or technically executable.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Federal Communications Commission is poised to approve a draft order that would reallocate a portion of the radio spectrum for broadband communications, overruling a decade of strong objections from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) over potential harm to GPS satellite navigation signals. C4ISRnet reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

23 April 2020 -- Senior Pentagon leaders warn that such a move will lead to unacceptable harm to the GPS system by creating new interference that could disrupt satellites critical to national security.

The decision would allow the privately held Ligado Networks in Reston, Va., formerly known as LightSquared, to operate in L-band frequency range despite years of government resistance, largely led by the DOD.

The emphasis comes amid renewed focus on 5G technology from key White House administration officials.

Related: GPS jamming is a growing threat to satellite navigation, positioning, and precision timing

Related: U.S. military committed to electronic warfare (EW) jammers to counter enemy GPS and drone signals

Related: Boeing to enhance navigation technology to keep GPS receivers working amid jamming, RF noise, and interference

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics

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