GOP decries FCC’s conditional approval of LightSquared wireless plan

Republicans questioned Thurs­day why the Federal Communications Commission fast-tracked an initial approval for a company — well-connected among Democrats — to provide cellphone service through satellites, a technology that other agencies say disrupts Global Positioning System devices, hurricane-tracking systems, and military and commercial airlines.

The FCC gave a crucial green light for Reston-based LightSquared in January without a full commission vote, despite warnings from companies and federal agencies that the satellite network would harm communication systems crucial to national security and public safety, GOP lawmakers said.

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But the FCC has defended its process, saying it has led to better understanding of a promising technology.

At a House hearing Thursday, Republicans criticized the FCC for not using its own engineers to examine whether LightSquared’s technology posed interference issues. The agency relied on tests run by the company and the GPS industry.

Separately, in a letter, Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) said the FCC has refused to answer his questions or hand over e-mails and other correspondence between LightSquared and the agency.

“Persistent stonewalling only raises more questions and heightens suspicion regarding the FCC’s actions,” Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. “Without transparency, and with media coverage of political connections in this case, there’s no way to know whether the agency is trying to help friends in need or really looking out for the public’s interest.”

The FCC has told Grassley his committee does not oversee the agency and such requests should come from the appropriate lawmakers on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has yet to look into the matter.

An FCC spokeswoman added that the agency granted expedited approval for plans in January only on the condition that the company resolve interference problems with GPS providers and other technologies.

“The process we set up has been tremendously successful, yielding a deeper understanding of the issues by both LightSquared and the GPS industry,” said Tammy Sun, an FCC spokeswoman.

Responding to criticism that the agency didn’t use its own engineers to test for interference, an FCC official said the agency believes that “companies are in the best position to understand their own technologies.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the FCC process is ongoing.

Agency officials, including Chairman Julius Genachowski, have touted the ambitions of LightSquared, a $14 billion venture financed by billionaire Philip Falcone, saying the company will create thousands of jobs as it erects cell towers and brings cellular and high-speed Internet service to remote areas. The venture also seemed to support the Obama administration’s goals to spread mobile broadband service to more Americans.

While the FCC considered LightSquared’s plans, Falcone donated huge sums to the Democratic Party and met with White House officials — facts reported in July by the Center for Public Integrity’s iWatch News.