NextNav Sees Itself Offering One of Several PNT Solutions
NextNav envisions itself providing backup to GPS for positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) as part of a “system of systems” that includes space- and terrestrial-based solutions, said Renee Gregory, its vice president-regulatory affairs, during an FCBA webinar Wednesday (see 2504020062).
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NextNav has a proposal before the FCC to reconfigure the 902-928 MHz band for PNT, which has proven controversial (see 2409060046). Last week, FCC commissioners approved a broad notice of inquiry on GPS' future (see 2503270042).
“We are committed to being a part of the solution,” Gregory said: “It is not the only solution. … Different technologies bring different strengths, different weaknesses and different potential use cases.” NextNav’s solution can serve “as both a complement and backup to GPS.”
Complementary solutions are needed where GPS signals “may not optimally perform in different circumstances, for instance, in dense urban areas or indoors,” Gregory said. “A backup is critical if natural or intentional disruptions occur.” The NextNav solution uses 5G new-radio positioning referencing signals and 3rd Generation Partnership Project standards “integrating with … 5G networks and network facilities, including existing physical infrastructure.”
Joel Taubenblatt, acting chief of the Wireless Bureau, stressed that the FCC understands the importance of a “whole-of-government approach” to GPS. “We kind of take a broad look in the NOI,” examining space- and terrestrial-based solutions, he said. “We also take a look at some issues related to impacts on the current GPS system."
The Communications Act provides that the FCC manages non-federal spectrum, Taubenblatt noted. “That’s sort of the role where we come in here." The FCC also understands “the importance of GPS, the myriad users and use cases for GPS, the reliance on GPS and concerns around the potential for disruption of interference.” The NOI asks about steps the FCC could take and rules “that are limiting in some way the development of complementary or alternative PNT solutions," he said.