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Boating Business

U.S. Senators Introduce GPS Bill

Even on an advanced skylounge yacht like this one, the Ligado network could cause disruptions in GPS service.

When the Federal Communications Commission decided in 2020 to allow satellite communications company Ligado Networks to build a land-based, industrial 5G L-Band wireless network, it caused an uproar that reached beyond recreational boating.

Widespread Opposition

According to Soundings Trade Only, opponents have said the network will reduce the reliability of GPS for the millions of units in use in public safety, health, government, transportation, military, commerce, agriculture and other sectors.

A bipartisan group including United States senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the Recognizing and Ensuring Taxpayer Access to Infrastructure Necessary for GPS and Satellite Communications Act of 2021. It’s called the RETAIN Act for short.

 

United States Senator Jim Inhofe.

The bill would require Ligado to earmark funds for businesses and consumers with GPS units affected by the 5G network. The FCC’s 2020 decision requires Ligado only to fund upgrades or replacement of federal government devices.

Many business interests, including the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) and BoatUS, support the bill.

“GPS technology remains an integral tool for recreational boaters, and any interference with this important navigation aid puts our boaters’ safety at risk,” Chad Tokowicz, MRAA government relations manager, said in a statement. “The RETAIN Act seeks to assure that the risk for interference is mitigated by putting the responsibility on the right party, and we are pleased that these senators have taken the lead to champion the safety of our boaters today and into the future.”

 

Simple handheld GPS units that people use for a variety of activities could be affected by the new Ligado network.

David Kennedy, government relations manager for BoatUS, echoed those sentiments. “Boaters rely on the publicly funded GPS system, and it is fitting that any harm caused by the Ligado network to their GPS systems be remedied by the company,” he said. “Sen. Inhofe’s RETAIN Act will ensure this happens.”

A letter to fellow senators signed by Duckworth, Inhofe and Rounds said in part:

“The RETAIN Act acknowledges the harm to GPS and satellite communications end users, including consumers, the federal government and businesses, caused by the Ligado order, and ensures any associated cost is covered by Ligado. Furthermore, the RETAIN Act also sets forth various conditions that must be met by Ligado before they are able to deploy terrestrial operations in the bands adjacent to that of GPS.”

The letter continues: This legislation would ensure that the costs incurred by the public sector, businesses and consumers as a result of the FCC’s decision to permit Ligado Networks LLC to use spectrum in a way that would cause interference to GPS and satellite communications would be covered by Ligado — the licensee benefiting from the decision.”