WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Steve Austria (OH-7) and Congressman Kevin Yoder (KS-3), members of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced a joint amendment to the financial services subcommittee appropriations bill to ensure that the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology used by the military, fire fighters, farmers, pilots, engineers, and many other industries, including local GPS devices used by individuals, will be preserved and not interfered with by any future expansion of broadband. The amendment passed the Appropriations Committee and will now move to the House floor for a vote.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently in the process of granting permission to allow companies to operate a ground-based mobile broadband system with a signal that is roughly 1 billion times more powerful than satellite-based GPS signals, within a spectrum immediately adjacent to the GPS. Numerous groups have raised serious concerns that this operation would result in significant interference to current GPS programs causing safety and economic risks to the general public.
 
“Too many sectors of the American economy, too many jobs, and too many national security imperatives depend on GPS technology for Congress or the FCC to take this process lightly,” Congressman Austria said. “We must ensure that before any final approval is granted those concerns of possible harmful interference to GPS are completely addressed.  This amendment does not prohibit expanding broadband services, but ensures it is done in a responsible manner and does not interfere with existing GPS technology that we depend on each day.” 

“I applaud the Appropriations Committee for approving this amendment,” said Congressman Yoder. “Given the important role that GPS technology plays in the daily lives of the American public and the impact it has on the American economy, I believe it is imperative that the FCC does not advance any technology that would interfere with GPS. It is my hope that this amendment will allow the FCC and all the stakeholders involved a level of insurance to prevent any inadvertent impact on GPS and the economy.”

Several government entities, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation have expressed concerns about the FCC’s handling of this process, and their lack of openness to get input from other federal agencies and individuals. This amendment does not block or forbid any expansion of broadband service, but does restrict funding to the FCC until it resolves the concerns of possible widespread harmful interference to the GPS system before giving final approval.

“This amendment included in the Fiscal Year 2012 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill will ensure that our citizens will be able to continue using GPS, and enjoy the benefits it provides,” Congressman Austria continued. “Our emergency first responders will be able to accurately locate victims in an emergency when they dial 9-11, our farmers will be able to continue to farm with the precision and efficiency GPS provides, and our military and homeland security officials will be able to continue to use this technology to keep us safe.”

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