There is no doubt how GPS works
TL is suggesting the opposite.
Not clear if he saying he just loses internet access. GPS receiver will show satellites being received from, he needs to check that. Not just NASA claiming number of satellites, other systems used.
Have you verified that they are satellites?
Yes, the documentation confirms this. For the US, Russian, Chinese, European and Japanese systems. The raw data from receivers (NMEA) gives details.
For example:
The GSV message string identifies the number of SVs in view, the PRN numbers, elevations, azimuths, and SNR values.
Unrelated, but the position of TV broadcast satellites above the equator is as documented and proved by dish alignment.