Sprint signed a deal to work with LightSquared to deploy last year, but this stumbled as the GPS interference issue got bigger for the Harbinger Capital Partners LP -backed venture. In December, Sprint extended its deal until the end of January. Now it has given LightSquared another deadline: "Sprint and Lightsquared have extended their agreement until mid-March to give LightSquared additional time to address issues associated with the 1.6 spectrum," a spokesman told LR Mobile on email.
Sprint is also using some of its own spectrum to deploy its first LTE markets by the middle of this year. (See Sprint's 4G LTE Texan Triangle.)
Why this matters This is another ray of hope for LightSquared. This extension gives the company more time to get test results in about its network and GPS interference. The would-be 4G operator said in January that it has enough money to continue operations for several quarters.
For more Catch up on the LightSquared GPS saga.
- Public Sucked Into LightSquared Squabble
- LightSquared's War of Words
- LightSquared Calls GPS Tests 'Rigged'
- Government Agencies Blast LightSquared
- Sprint Gives LightSquared 30-Day Extension
- 2011 Top Ten: LightSquared in the Limelight
- LightSquared Files GPS-Test Data
- LightSquared to GPS Industry: Get Bent
- NDAA Bill Would Let Military Block LightSquared
- Sprint's $13.5B Jump to LTE With LightSquared
- LightSquared Plans LTE Launch Next Year
- LightSquared 'Confident' of FCC Approval in 2012
— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Light Reading Mobile
At one point LightSquared offered to use a smaller portion of its spectrum for terrestrial use. I wonder if that idea is still on the table. Maybe wider guard bands could be a solution to the GPS interference problem?