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FCC Plans To Nix Wireless Network That May Jam GPS

Federal officials are effectively killing a private company's plans to start a national high-speed wireless broadband network after concluding it would in some cases jam GPS devices.

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal officials are effectively killing a private company's plans to start a national high-speed wireless broadband network after concluding it would in some cases jam GPS devices.

When the Federal Communications Commission gave LightSquared a tentative OK to build the network, the agency said it won't be allowed to start operating until the government is satisfied that any problems are addressed.

After tests, the FCC is now saying it won't let the project proceed. That comes after a federal agency that coordinates wireless signals, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, concluded that there's no way to mitigate potential interference.

A decision isn't final until the FCC seeks public comment, which is expected to begin Tuesday.

LightSquared did not immediately respond to a request for comment.