ATC
LightSquared Makes Last-ditch Case to FCC

Despite rising jubilation among the GPS community in the middle of last month that LightSquared had at last met its comeuppance, the would-be nationwide wireless broadband provider was not dead yet as this issue went to press. With its technical arguments virtually exhausted, LightSquared entered into a “Pleading Cycle” at the FCC on January 27, using what is likely its only lifeline.

Simply put, in a Pleading Cycle opposing parties have reached something like a technical standoff, and one side feels that there are still points of law or precedents that can demonstrate the legality of its claims, in this case LightSquared’s contention that the GPS community is in the wrong. Counsel for the GPS side must counter by demonstrating that such laws or interpretations are not applicable.