NAAA has joined a growing coalition that opposes the FCC’s recent decision to approve Ligado Networks’ application to operate a 5G network in the L-band radio spectrum, which is the band adjacent to the one used for GPS. Ligado’s network will interfere with GPS and other satellite-based technology. NAAA is one of over 60 organizations and companies in this coalition. Other members include AOPA, GAMA, numerous airlines, Farm Bureau, shipping companies, weather associations and numerous GPS companies.

The coalition is currently working with Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK)’s staff to get other senators to sign a letter which asks the FCC to reconsider its decision. Inhofe serves on the U.S. Senate’s Armed Service and Commerce, Science & Transportation Committees. The Pentagon has also raised concerns about interference from the Ligado spectrum. Eighteen senators have signed the letter so far. The coalition has also prepared a talking-points document and FAQs briefing about the FCC’s approval. In addition to Sen. Inhofe’s letter, the coalition has written its own statement of record for the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that details industry concerns related to national security, public safety and economic impact.

Implementation of Ligado’s plan would cause widespread GPS interference and Ligado has failed to address these concerns. In approving Ligado’s proposal, the FCC ignored the concerns of industry and government experts who oppose the proposal, and the FCC failed to fully evaluate this interreference. In addition to GPS interference, the FCC’s decision could negatively impact ADS-B functioning.

Ligado’s 5G technology would interfere with aviation and other GPS receivers when the receivers get close to a Ligado 5G tower. A study by the Department of Transportation (DOT) revealed that most non-IFR-certified GPS equipment, such as that used for general aviation, would experience interference at close to a mile from a Ligado tower. For GPS equipment certified for IFR, the interference would not occur until the GPS equipment got to within around 250 feet of the 5G transmitter, but the DOT report noted this is still a major concern for low-altitude aircraft operations.

This is not the first time NAAA has stepped up to protect GPS from Ligado’s threats. Ligado is the new name of LightSquared, which was forced into bankruptcy and restructuring following a loss almost 10 years ago on this same GPS interference issue. At that time, LightSquared insisted that the GPS industry should have to deal with any issues caused by LightSquared’s 5G system. More recently, in 2018, NAAA joined several other aviation associations in a letter to the FAA regarding concerns with Ligado.