LightSquared has rejected the latest government tests on interference from its network and called for an investigation into possible conflicts of interest. The tests by the National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation & Timing (Excomm) found that LightSquared's planned network would cause significant interference for GPS devices. The government body which coordinates GPS issues said it did not see a quick resolution to the problem. Harbinger Capital, LightSquared's main shareholder, rejected the results, saying the protocol used will likely be found invalid. Furthermore, the devices chosen by GPS manufacturers to be tested were "selected to ensure failure", as many were obsolete or niche devices, Harbinger said. "This is nothing more than a thinly-veiled attempt by government agencies to protect the interests of the GPS industry who are unauthorized users infringing on spectrum licensed to LightSquared," the company said. LightSquared also filed a complaint with the NASA Investigator General's office regarding conflicts of interest on the PNT Advisory Board, an industry board that helps Excomm. The accusations centre on Brad Parkinson, vice-chair of the board and also a board member at Trimble, a developer of GPS devices and applications. LightSquared claims his professional duty to Trimble to protect its market position and shareholder value contradicts his responsibility to provide impartial advice to the government as a member of the PNT Advisory board. LightSquared called for a new set of tests, under the leadership of the FCC and National Telecom & Information Administration.
