Satellite phone ventures have a checkered history. Motorola lost billions on the Iridium global satellite phone network in the 1990s. Startup wholesale carrier LightSquared, which still hopes to build a $40 billion combined satellite and LTE (Long-Term Evolution) network across the U.S., faces strong opposition from vendors and users of GPS (Global Positioning System). On Wednesday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration recommended that the FCC withhold approval of LightSquared's network because of test results showing interference with GPS. LightSquared has proposed using different frequencies.

The IDG News Service