FCC Launches Proceeding on GPS Alternatives

The Federal Communications Commission announced the launch of an inquiry to explore commercial technologies that would complement the Global Positioning System. 

Although GPS is indispensable to America’s economic and national security, it represents a single point of failure that can be vulnerable to disruption or manipulation by our adversaries.  That is why leaders from President Trump to Chairman Cruz and Senator Markey have called to develop alternative systems that provide “position, navigation, and timing” data. 

PNT data is integral to countless military, public safety, agricultural, and commercial activities.  Because the American economy and national security depend on GPS as the sole source of PNT data, the U.S. government has shown great interest in developing resilient backups that would protect critical operations from any disruption in GPS signals.    

The Notice of Inquiry adopted today examines how the Commission might foster GPS complements and alternatives.  The Notice asks about a wide array of PNT technologies under development by broadcasters, wireless operators, satellite constellations, and startups that use FCC-licensed spectrum.  It also seeks comment on the tradeoffs among these emerging PNT offerings based on factors like performance, adoption, scale, geographic coverage, durability, cost, and commercialization. 

The Commission intends to build a comprehensive record on what actions it can take to strengthen GPS and promote other PNT technologies.  These actions could include FCC rule changes, public-private partnerships, testbeds, Innovation Zones, and more.

Action by the Commission March 27, 2025 by Notice of Inquiry (FCC 25-20).  Chairman Carr, Commissioners Starks, Simington, and Gomez approving.  Chairman Carr and Commissioner Starks issuing separate statements.

Source: Federal Communications Commission media announcement