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AmyWilder

NBAA and 29 other stakeholders from the aviation and broader industries are urging the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate claims made by Ligado Networks regarding compliance with a critical device availability requirement to prevent GPS interference. In a <a href="https://nbaa.org/wp-content/uploads/aircraft-operations/cns/gps/20241213-Coalition-Letter-FCC-Ligado-Report.pdf">letter addressed to FCC Secretary Marlene H. Dortch</a>, the coalition expressed concerns over Ligado's claim that it met the September 30 deadline to make dual-mode Mobile Satellite Service/Ancillary Terrestrial Component (MSS/ATC) capable devices available in the marketplace. ​
The coalition—which also includes AOPA, the American Meteorological Society, and Lockheed Martin—argues that Ligado's October 2024 status report lacks sufficient detail to confirm compliance. They are asking the FCC to request additional information from Ligado, including specific equipment authorizations and evidence of the devices being offered for sale or lease. ​
In 2020, the FCC approved Ligado's plan to build a high-speed broadband cellular network, a decision that has been met with concerns from <a href="https://nbaa.org/aircraft-operations/communications-navigation-surveillance-cns/global-positioning-system-gps/gps-interference/nbaa-joins-call-for-fcc-to-investigate-ligado-claims-of-gps-interference-mitigation/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=rasa_io&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter">NBAA and others</a> who <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-04-28/some-100-orgs-urge-biden-congress-halt-ligado-order">argue that it could disrupt GPS and satellite communications</a> systems critical to aviation. One requirement of the approval was for Ligado to introduce a MSS/ATC device by September that could switch between satellite and terrestrial networks, and would be less likely to cause interference.&nbsp;
However, in the December 13 letter stakeholders pointed out that Ligado's claims about the availability of such a device were unsubstantiated. A device must receive equipment authorization before being marketed under FCC rules, specifically 47 C.F.R. ​§2.803. Despite Ligado’s statement that the device would be ready by October, a review of FCC databases and online searches failed to identify any certified equipment that met the requirements. The stakeholders raised concerns that even if such a device existed, it might not be available to the market in time to meet the FCC’s deadline, casting doubt on Ligado’s compliance.&nbsp;
The group has called on the FCC to press Ligado for further details, reiterating its request for the FCC to revoke the Ligado Order, citing broad opposition from federal agencies. Further, the coalition urges transparency and public verification to ensure Ligado adheres to the conditions outlined in the 2020 Ligado Order to balance technological advancement with the protection of critical services.

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NBAA, Industry Leaders Call for FCC To Investigate Ligado's Compliance

Coalition questions Ligado’s device availability claims 

A coalition of aviation groups urges the FCC to review Ligado's device availability claims and ensure compliance with regulations to prevent GPS interference.  

NBAA, Others Push FCC To Probe Ligado Compliance Claims

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