Sincerely,

        Steve Southerland, II
        United States Representative

'Lo All, I sent a letter, based in part on BoatUS's suggested letter to those addressees (my US Representatives and Senators) suggested in BoatUS's website. Today, I received the response from Representative Steve Southerland. The following is that email - I don't know how 'canned' it may be. I also do not know how well it will be copied to the list, but here goes. <<< July 21, 2011 ///Address redacted/// Dear Wayne, Thank you for contacting our office regarding LightSquared wireless broadband communications system. I value your input on this important issue and appreciate the opportunity to respond. As you may know, in January of 2011 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted permission to offer wholesale broadband via its satellite and base station networks to a wide variety of mobile broadband partners, one of these being LightSquared. LightSquared is a mobile satellite service (MSS) provider of nationwide 4G LTE with two space vessels that cover North America. These systems operate in what the FCC calls the L-Band. In November of 2010 the company applied to the Commission for more expansive rules that would allow it greater leeway to transmit satellite broadband signals to its "Ancillary Terrestrial Component" (ATC), sometimes referred to as Ground Based Systems. However, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and GM's OnStar Subsidiary, as well as commercial GPS users, have expressed concern that LightSquared's L Band frequencies may broadcast too close to the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) bands. Because of these concerns the FCC instructed LightSquared to convene a study group addressing the interference concerns regarding GPS before LightSquared commences offering commercial service. According to the report submitted by the FCC-mandated study group, LightSquared's planned wireless network would, in fact, interfere with Global Positioning Systems. I appreciate the need to ensure the sound and reliable transfer of data in the United States, and will continue to work in conjunction with the FCC to monitor the situation, providing Congressional oversight where appropriate. Please know, should legislation regarding this matter come before the House for a vote, I will be sure to keep your thoughts and concerns in mind. Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. I am humbled and honored you have afforded me the opportunity to represent you in the United States House of Representatives. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about issues of importance to you. Feel free to visit my Congressional website at <http://southerland.house.gov>http://southerland.house.gov or contact our office with any future concerns. Sincerely, [] Steve Southerland, II United States Representative >>>> Take care and be safe. Wayne Celestial Albin 43 Sundeck Near Panama City, FL