FCC Taking Action on
PNT Resiliency

“While GPS may be indispensable, it is not infallible…Disruptions to GPS have the potential to undermine the nation’s economic and national security.”— Chairman Brendan Carr

Relying on GPS alone leaves America exposed

For more than 20 years, the risks to GPS have been clear. In 2020, a Presidential Executive Order called for urgent action. Now, this administration is taking real steps with the FCC’s Notice of Inquiry. This is a critical bipartisan step toward protecting America from the economic and security risks posed by disruptions to Positioning, Navigation, and Timing services. We support their leadership and the need to move quickly and decisively.

Read Chairman Carr’s Blog

A Resilient Terrestrial PNT Solution Designed for Scale

A Resilient Terrestrial PNT Solution Designed for Scale

NextNav is advancing a solution that is:

  • Terrestrial: Provides an earth-based backup and complement to space-based systems.
  • Market-based: The only terrestrial option not asking for taxpayer dollars.
  • Future-proof: Upgrade path from 5G to 6G.
  • Widescale: Uses existing 5G networks that are already deployed across America.
  • Broadly available: Because it’s based on cellular networks, it is broadly available to critical infrastructure, public safety and consumers
  • End-user devices: We have a clear path to end user devices – and this is critical.

Read more from NextNav CEO Mariam Sorond on why meeting this national security need is so important.

Read More

Our Commitments

NextNav is committed to open dialogue, collaboration, and working as a whole collective of advocates, industry, and experts to solve this national security issue.

Market-based solution, that is free to taxpayers

Our plan delivers a critical national security upgrade at zero cost to taxpayers. We’ll leverage existing cellular infrastructure in partnership with one or more network operators.

Protecting licensed co-primary users

NextNav is committed to protecting co-primary users like railroads and tolling. We have engaged in extensive outreach in pursuit of technical and business solutions – including taking financial responsibility for coexistence testing.

Spectrum co-existence

Unlicensed devices are built to share spectrum and are already designed to coexist with other unlicensed and licensed operations. That resilience makes them well-equipped to operate alongside our terrestrial 5G PNT system.  NextNav’s recent unlicensed coexistence study used real-world data and thorough engineering analyses to demonstrate that 5G PNT system will not cause an unacceptable level of interference to unlicensed devices.

Collaboration

We’re part of a growing, bipartisan movement to secure America’s PNT future.

From President Trump to Senators Ted Cruz and Ed Markey, leaders on both sides of the aisle agree: America needs GPS resilience now. And it’s clear that no single solution can do it all. That’s why we fully support a system-of-systems approach— a combination of PNT technologies or solutions that will ensure PNT for users and protect against the threats to and vulnerabilities of GPS. A collaborative framework brings together government, private-sector innovators, and users.

NextNav is working side-by-side with device manufacturers, first responders, mobile network operators, and fellow PNT solution providers to enable a layered, resilient system that protects America’s critical infrastructure and public safety.

This isn’t about going it alone, it’s about coming together to get it done.

Grounded in Technical Rigor

Grounded in Technical Rigor

The issue at hand is real. It impacts national security, public safety, and critical infrastructure. Solving it requires more than rhetoric—it demands credible, actionable solutions and technical rigor.

Our solution is backed by sound engineering and technical work:

We welcome review and engagement with the technical community. Enabling PNT resilience depends on transparency and collaboration.

A System of Systems Approach

A System of Systems Approach

“Our positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) infrastructure must be a system of systems. Satellites alone cannot bear the burden alone and relying on a single system leaves us exposed.” Rear Admiral Lorin Selby (retired)

The U.S. military doesn’t rely on a single tool to deter our adversaries—neither should our PNT strategy.

NextNav supports an all-of-government approach that relies on a system-of-systems approach. A layered PNT architecture, with multiple terrestrial and space-based options working together will give America a hedge if GPS services fail.

Support for a Resilient Terrestrial PNT Solution

  • Policy

    “To protect our national security, the U.S. needs a terrestrial complement and backup to GPS…” — Former U.S. Representatives Greg Walden & Loretta Sanchez

    Read more

  • National Security

    Rear Admiral David Simpson warns the GPS gap leaves critical infrastructure vulnerable to asymmetric attacks.

    Read More

  • Public Safety & First Responders

    Texas 911 Alliance urges immediate action to improve responder location accuracy.

    Read More

  • The Voters

    It’s not just policy leaders and engineers—voters overwhelmingly support building a terrestrial backup to GPS.

    Read More

Support for a Resilient Terrestrial PNT Solution

  • Policy

    “To protect our national security, the U.S. needs a terrestrial complement and backup to GPS…” — Former U.S. Representatives Greg Walden & Loretta Sanchez

    Read more

  • National Security

    Rear Admiral David Simpson warns the GPS gap leaves critical infrastructure vulnerable to asymmetric attacks.

    Read More

  • Public Safety & First Responders

    Texas 911 Alliance urges immediate action to improve responder location accuracy.

    Read More

  • The Voters

    It’s not just policy leaders and engineers—voters overwhelmingly support building a terrestrial backup to GPS.

    Read More

In the News

  • The Washington Times

    America’s GPS vulnerability threatens defense strategy

    Read More

  • GPS World

    NextNav proposes a GPS complement and backup in the lower 900 MHz band

    Read more

  • Location Business News

    Spectrum Dispute Heats Up as IBTTA, NextNav Clash Over 900 MHz Band

    Read More

  • Broadband Breakfast

    PNT Resilience, Not Rhetoric: A National Security Vulnerability We Can Fix Together

    Read More

In the News

  • The Washington Times

    America’s GPS vulnerability threatens defense strategy

    Read More

  • GPS World

    NextNav proposes a GPS complement and backup in the lower 900 MHz band

    Read more

  • Location Business News

    Spectrum Dispute Heats Up as IBTTA, NextNav Clash Over 900 MHz Band

    Read More

  • Broadband Breakfast

    PNT Resilience, Not Rhetoric: A National Security Vulnerability We Can Fix Together

    Read More

Our FCC Filings & Resources

See our work:

Support resilient infrastructure. Make your voice heard.

Get Involved

Support resilient infrastructure. Make your voice heard.


Here’s how:

  • Submit a comment to the FCC, under proceeding #24-240
    Suggested message: “I support the FCC’s action to advance resilient PNT. Terrestrial solutions like NextNav’s strengthen our national infrastructure and improve public safety.“

File Now

Stay in touch

Keep up to date on the latest news, events,
promotions and more from NextNav.