Planned US LTE network operator LightSquared signed up netTalk as a customer, with its new partner intending to “develop its own branded voice and high-speed mobile data services for its customers.” According to a statement, netTalk is “a telecommunications and consumer electronics company offering a variety of innovative, easy-to-use products designed to help consumers save money on phone calls and more.” LightSquared has been busy doing deals in the last few months, including signing up US electronics retailer Best Buy and tier-two operators Cellular South and Leap Wireless as partners.  Broadband wireless company Open Range and rural telco alliance SI Wireless have also inked deals with LightSquared. It was recently reported that LightSquared had signed a long-mooted and wide-ranging deal with Sprint, which would see the pair collaborating on the build and operation of a network – although this has not been confirmed.

Last week, the Coalition to Save Our GPS, a lobbying group concerned about the effect the LightSquared network will have on the global positioning network, described a solution proposed by the wholesale operator as a “hastily-arrived-at, Hail Mary ‘solution’…contained in a two-page news release that cites no credible, independent validation of its claims.” The Coalition has recently signed-up a raft of new members, including large numbers of users of GPS for professional purposes, from industries including public safety, aviation, transportation, construction, technology, recreation, shipping, agriculture and consumer electronics. According to PCMag.com, the company said that “the fact that we continue to sign up customers, some of which are wireless carriers, is another sign that these companies are also confident we will solve the GPS issue.”  A final report on the issue is due to be submitted to the Federal Communications Commission on Friday.