STEARNS URGED LIGHTSQUARE AND FCC TO MOVE TOWARD SOLUTION THAT BENEFITS CONSUMERS

WASHINGTON, SEPT. 28, 2012 – Last week, Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, held a hearing examining the LightSquared Network through the lens of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) process.  Stated Stearns, “This FCC process resulted in LightSquared filing for bankruptcy, 40 MHz of spectrum lying fallow, and the shadow of regulatory uncertainty possibly discouraging investment in new technologies and services.  Through this hearing, we sent a clear message to the FCC that we hope that the FCC will work expeditiously toward finding a solution to this problem.  Today, LigthSquared confirmed its commitment to move forward by filing an alternative proposal with the FCC.”

Under this proposal, LightSquared would vacate the upper 10 MHz of its spectrum holdings closest to GPS frequencies in exchange for 5 MHz located further away.  Second, LightSquared would forgo terrestrial deployment of its lower 10 MHz during the pendency of the FCC's rulemaking to provide the agency time to develop operating parameters and revised rules for terrestrial use of the spectrum

Concluded Stearns, “Moving the ball forward was exactly what my hearing was designed to achieve and I strongly encourage the Commission to take a serious look at this approach.”