LightSquared objects to disclosure of records

Wireless startup LightSquared objected to the public disclosure of several of its filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday.

The Hill, along with several other media and public interest groups, requested the records under the Freedom of Information Act.

But LightSquared and its investment firm Harbinger Capital said some of the documents contain confidential business information that is not subject to disclosure.

They requested that the FCC either suppress the documents entirely or release only redacted versions.

LightSquared has invested billions of dollars to launch a nationwide wireless broadband service, but the company ran into problems last year when tests showed its planned network could interfere with GPS devices.

LightSquared argues the problem is that GPS receivers are poorly designed and are receiving signals from outside their designated frequency bands. The GPS industry says its receivers are too sensitive to filter out the powerful signals from LightSquared's cell towers on nearby frequencies.

The FCC granted LightSquared a conditional waiver to move forward last year, but officials now say the company will have to fix the interference problem before receiving final approval to launch its network.

Some Republicans have questioned whether the FCC and the White House have shown inappropriate favoritism to LightSquared. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has vowed to block President Obama's two FCC nominees unless the agency releases internal records on its review of the company.

The White House and the FCC have denied giving any special treatment to LightSquared, but expanding broadband access has been a top priority for both agencies. 

Last September, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) accused President Obama of "crony capitalism" for allegedly giving favor to his political supporters, pointing to Harbinger Capital managing director Philip Falcone.

Falcone, who has donated thousands of dollars to both Democrats and Republicans in recent years, says he is a registered Republican and has denied any attempts to influence the process through political connections.

LightSquared has until mid-March to secure regulatory approval or it risks losing a multibillion-dollar contract with Sprint.

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