I received this email and followed the link to help stop this attack against GPS.
Here is my response in case you want to copy and paste it in the form:
I use GPS almost daily in my business travels and while boating and fishing.
I rely on GPS to get me to my destination and back home again.
I understand the importance of Wireless broadband service, but it should not come at the expense of GPS.
Where I travel in my boat Wireless broadband does not reach and I do not want to lose the safety net of GPS.
We rely on you to protect the integrity of the GPS signal and I support the recommendation to stop LightSquared's current proposal.
Here is the original email:
February 24, 2012
Dear BoatU.S. Member:
Last summer boaters sent a clear message to the Federal Communications Commission – “Don’t Mess with GPS!" As you may remember, a private company, LightSquared, received preliminary FCC approval to offer a new cellular broadband service. Tests showed this service could significantly interfere with GPS signals.
Thanks to over 18,000 boaters who submitted comments, along with many other GPS users, the FCC required additional testing in the fall. (Thank you all for your help!) Last week, these tests revealed that the LightSquared’s network would interfere with GPS and that there are no practical fixes. As a result, the FCC has proposed to withdraw LightSquared's approval. (
http://www.gps.gov/news/2012/02/lightsquared/)
The FCC has a new comment period (open to March 1) asking for the public’s opinion. Even if you wrote last summer, please take a few minutes now and write the FCC asking them to protect the GPS signal by saying “No” to LightSquared’s current proposal. Given this company’s tenacity over the last year, we want to make sure that boaters’ needs are remembered as the FCC makes their final decision.
Important points to make:
•How do you use GPS in your life – on the water, on land, or in the air?
•What would happen to your business/personal life if GPS became unavailable or unreliable?
•Wireless broadband service is important, but it should not come at the expense of GPS.
•All the studies show that LightSquared’s proposed network would cause interference and that there are no remedies.
•Tell FCC that you rely on them to protect the integrity of the GPS signal and that you support their recommendation to stop LightSquared’s current proposal
You can submit comments directly to the FCC through their online comment form. (We regret we can’t streamline this process for you, but it is important enough we’re still asking for your help.) Here’s how:
1. Click on this link for the FCC’s Electronic Comments Filing System (ECFS):
http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/hotdocket/list 2. Select “Proceeding Number 11-109.” It should be near the top of the list.
3. In the designated boxes, enter your name and mailing address.
4. In the box that says “Type in or paste your brief comments,” do so. Click “Continue”.
5. A review page will load listing all of the information entered. If correct, click “Confirm.”
6. If you have any trouble, you may contact the FCC ECFS Helpdesk at 202-418-0193 or email at
GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com703-461-2878 x8363
For an update on this and other government affairs topics please visit BoatUS.com/gov
