this post was submitted on 07 Mar 2025
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475
FCC chair says we’re too dependent on GPS and wants to explore ‘alternatives’ (read: multi billion contract with Musk) (www.theverge.com)
submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 days ago (1 children)

That's weird, I always viewed GPS as a form of American Imperialism. Sure, it's a bit extreme maybe, but America does own and operate it and jam it when enemies try to use it.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Calling GPS part of imperialism is a stretch. It was put in the air at no cost to another country and can be used without cost by anybody, but nobody has to use it. Other countries can launch their own satellites if they want, but they don't because that's expensive and GPS is free. The US isn't making money off of it or exploiting another country with it.

Yes, the US can jam it regionally when in conflict but of course why wouldn't we? No reason to help the enemy.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Other countries can launch their own satellites if they want, but they don’t because that’s expensive

They do, and they did:

EU (not a country, but still) - Galileo

Russia - GLONASS

China - BeiDou

They all have their own.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago

Thank you. I couldn't remember the names and was rushing my comment before a meeting. I knew someone wouldn't let that go without a correction.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

technically, originally the GPS system was private, until made public, where it had error obfuscation, until semi recently it was released fully.

It was originally funded by the US government, still is, it's just publicly accessible now.

(the original usecase being for shit like ICBMs and what not, obviously)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

The one thing I miss from the TomTom era is I can't have Brian Blessed give me directions anymore.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

Except for Galileo and glonass.