From: BoatU.S. Government
Affairs [govtaffairs@boatus.com]
Sent: Friday, February 24,
2012 9:48 AM
Subject: GPS Update -- Act Now!
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:
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:
Thank you for taking action to
protect the integrity of the GPS system. Margaret Podlich President, BoatU.S. 703-461-2878 x8363 For an update on this and other
government affairs topics please visit BoatUS.com/gov DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. If you
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