[SatNews] With an advisory board comprised of former political experts, rural America should experience the effects...

LightSquared™ has announced the creation of the Empower Rural America Initiative led by an advisory board that includes former Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and former Representatives George Nethercutt of Washington and Charlie Stenholm of Texas. The group will partner with LightSquared to:

• Work with small cities and rural communities to ensure the deployment of this new national satellite broadband service
• Work with LightSquared and other parties to make sure device filters and other approaches are developed that will resolve any GPS issues related to precision agriculture and other areas
• Ensure that LightSquared’s integrated satellite network can help rural markets augment their broadband and GPS services to provide greater accuracy and continuity of service
• Address the unique public safety concerns of small towns and rural communities by making the deployment of satellite communications services available to assist people in these areas in the event of a disaster, such as tornadoes, floods or other service disruptions to traditional communications systems
• Help close the broadband adoption gap in rural America. Broadband is critical to rural areas where it can create jobs, contribute to economic development and introduce innovations in education, healthcare and public safety

During the recent bout of violent tornadoes, LightSquared’s services were used by first responders and public safety officials to communicate after cellular services were disrupted by the storms. Citing these efforts, former Representative Charlie Stenholm said, “LightSquared’s ability to provide fast and effective communication services for public safety and emergency response can provide a much needed life line for small and rural communities in the Tornado belt and other areas of rural America that are flood prone.”