GPS, Other Military Systems Protected By FCC Decision

free to all but at what price

Washington (DoD) Feb 14, 2002
A decision by the FCC authorizing the use of ultra-wideband (UWB) devices above 3.1 GHz and imposing strict technical limits below 3.1 GHz continues to protect critical, spectrum-dependent military systems, including the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system, the Department of Defense said today.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Spectrum and C3 Policy Steven Price said, "The Department supports Federal Communications Commission's reasoned and balanced approach of protecting critical national security systems from frequency interference while allowing commercial deployment of new technologies.

DoD appreciates the leadership efforts of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration -- the agency with lead responsibility for managing federal government spectrum -- ensuring mission-critical operations are not jeopardized.

DoD concluded FCC's technical restrictions on UWB devices would be sufficient to protect military systems. Such restrictions were the minimum required to avoid interference with those systems."

DoD intends to monitor regulatory and market developments to ensure national security is maintained and that UWB devices, as deployed, do not jeopardize mission-critical operations supporting public safety, national security and homeland defense.

SPACEWAR

US Warns EU About Galileo's Possible Military Conflicts

Brussels (AFP) Dec 18, 2001
The Pentagon has written to several European Union defense ministers warning that pursuit of plans for the Galileo global positioning system could conflict with similar NATO military systems.