It was revealed this week that Air Force General William Shelton was pressured by the White House to alter his testimony regarding LightSquared, a Virginia based broadband satellite company (and Obama campaign donor) that has plans to build tens of thousands of ground stations for a wireless network. The general had concerns that the proposed wireless service could interfere with the military's GPS capabilities. The White House had apparently obtained a leaked copy of his testimony and requested that the general insert comments into his testimony that appear more favorable towards LightSquared.
But, it's not just the general who was concerned with the technology. Last month in a discussion regarding a cell phone tower permit being considered at Longmont's Vance Brand Airport, Longmont Airport Manager Tim Barth answered concerns from Longmont Councilmember Sarah Levison at a August 9th, 2011 council meeting (video link to this discussion). In his response, he agreed that the technology would interfere with GPS signals at the airport as well as other services around the city, including fire and police and that it would create a significant interference block. He stated they were monitoring the situation closely and had met with representatives from both Light Squared and T-Mobile.
In Barth's statement to the council, he also stated that “LightSquared would have to perform a flight test at their own expense to test interference before we allow them to turn that equipment on at the airport and at another antenna located at the water tower at Sunset Golf Course.”
Related: City Council Communication regarding T-Mobile Cell Phone Tower Permit at Vance Brand Airport (T-Mobile is currently working with LightSquared Wireless Services to co-locate on the tower)
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