LightSquared Customers Plead with FCC

LightSquared has been signing up customers for its planned wholesale LTE network from the beginning despite the fact that it didn't have Federal Communications Commission clearance to launch the service, forging contracts with more than 30 companies. Now, some of those companies are asking the FCC to let LightSquared light up its network amid increased uncertainty over whether the service will ever get the green light.

LightSquared's network has been shown to have a widespread impact on GPS receivers, and the FCC has said it will not allow the service to go live until the interference issue is addressed. Six companies including PowerNet Global Communications, AirTouch Communications and Karma Mobility sent separate letters to the FCC this week petitioning the agency to clear LightSquared for launch. Hometown Telecom and SI Wireless, two other LightSquared customers, made their own pleas last week.