The race to provide backup options for the aging GPS system just got more interesting. SpaceX has officially thrown its hat into the ring, telling the FCC that its Starlink satellite constellation is ready to serve as an alternative positioning system, (FCC seeks GPS alternatives). In a 5-page letter submitted Wednesday, the company positioned itself as a ready-made solution to the FCC’s search for GPS alternatives that could make location services more resilient.
The FCC recently opened a public inquiry about developing alternatives to GPS, which has historically been operated solely by the US Defense Department. Push for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) diversification has caught the attention of major satellite operators – with SpaceX making perhaps the boldest claim.
According to SpaceX, its existing satellite infrastructure already operates independently of GPS, giving it a foundation for offering alternative PNT services. The company highlighted this capability as “low-hanging fruit” that could deliver positioning services alongside its core broadband and mobile connectivity offerings.
“SpaceX has invested considerable resources to ensure that its satellite systems can operate independent of GPS,” the company wrote, noting that this capability “sets the foundation for future solutions that can use any authorized frequency to deliver accurate, reliable, and resilient PNT to any end user device.”
What’s particularly notable is the timing – SpaceX mentioned it’s actively working to integrate PNT solutions into its direct-to-device offerings, which includes its cellular Starlink service currently in beta and scheduled for T-Mobile launch in July.
SpaceX isn’t the only company eyeing this space. Apple’s satellite provider Globalstar also submitted a letter to the FCC, claiming its services “can function as either an alternative or a complement to GPS.”
Globalstar emphasized that its satellites transmit outside the L-band, potentially offering “added immunity from GPS jamming and spoofing.” The company also noted its satellite transmissions at 2.4GHz are stronger than GPS signals, which could improve “resilience, performance, and reliability.”
While advocating for a “technology-neutral approach” to GPS alternatives, SpaceX couldn’t resist taking aim at competitor EchoStar (Hughesnet’s parent company), claiming it’s sitting on unused 2GHz radio spectrum allocated for mobile satellite service. This criticism seems to have found a receptive audience, as the FCC has begun soliciting public comment on whether EchoStar is properly utilizing its spectrum allocation.
As the FCC weighs these proposals, the possibility of Starlink becoming your next GPS alternative grows stronger. With its rapidly expanding satellite network and integration with cellular services, SpaceX might soon help you navigate even when traditional GPS signals fail to star-link you to your destination.
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