4G Broadband May Jam GPS
Img: AvWeb
From AvWeb:
The GPS industry is warning that a proposed broadband Internet network could effectively jam GPS signals. Further, it says it has data showing that any of the anticipated 40,000 (yes, four zeroes) transmitters can make a Garmin 430 go dark at a range of five miles. GPS World calls the proposal by LightSquared “disastrous” and warns of major problems for all kinds of GPS-reliant devices.
via AVweb.
The saving grace here is having the military not wanting their GPS messed with. If it were just certain GPS’s against the telecom industry, I’m not sure I’d be as confident that things would be worked out satisfactorily. As it stands, I’m sure they’ll come up with a workable solution.
There is an interesting Avweb interview with Garmin:
http://tinyurl.com/jamGPS
What worries me is their statement that filtering the LightSquared signal might be possible, but cost prohibitive. Read: The Military will do it (probably has already done it to avoid jamming), but GA won’t be able to pay for it.
And 40000 transmitters with 5 miles “loss of fix” radius is a large area: Its about equal to the entire land area of the US… I guess by design – its supposed to be 4G for the whole US…