New 4G network could interfere with GPS reception in US

New Scientist : A plan by telecommunications firm LightSquared of Reston, Virginia, to install a network of base stations for the new 4G mobile wireless protocol may cause problems with GPS reception. The new 4G base stations will broadcast much stronger signals and so risk overlapping with GPS such that it “will result in widespread, severe GPS jamming [and] will deny GPS service over vast areas of the United States,” according to Scott Burgett and Bronson Hokuf, engineers with satellite navigation manufacturer Garmin International in Olathe, Kansas, in their report to the FCC last month. LightSquared has until 25 February to submit a plan to the FCC for working with the GPS industry and federal agencies to analyze interference issues, with a final report detailing a solution due by 15 June.