SpaceX is positioning its Starlink satellite constellation as a viable alternative to the Global Positioning System (GPS), proposing that its network can deliver Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services to complement existing systems.
The proposal was submitted to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is seeking alternatives to improve GPS resilience and national security.
Currently, Starlink operates approximately 7,500 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), with thousands more planned by 2027. Initially designed to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband, Starlink’s latest generation of satellites also includes enhanced PNT capabilities. These upgrades align with the FCC’s goal of diversifying the nation’s reliance on a single GPS provider.
FCC Seeks Resilient PNT Solutions
The FCC’s inquiry into GPS alternatives stems from growing concerns about the system’s vulnerability to interference, jamming, and spoofing. As FCC Chair Brendan Carr noted earlier this year, over-reliance on a single system leaves critical infrastructure exposed to escalating threats.
In response, SpaceX submitted a five-page letter outlining how Starlink’s next-generation satellites could offer PNT services alongside broadband and mobile connectivity. The company emphasized the importance of a “market-driven approach” that encourages innovation without government subsidies or favoritism toward any particular operator.
“Facilitating the rapid deployment of next-generation LEO satellite constellations that can deliver PNT as a service is a particularly ripe, low-hanging fruit,” SpaceX wrote in its submission. (via ISPreview)
Direct-to-Device Services with PNT Capabilities
SpaceX highlighted its investment in direct-to-device (DtD) services, which are set to launch commercially in the U.S. with T-Mobile. These new satellites are equipped with advanced PNT technology designed to operate independently of GPS, offering a potential backup solution for navigation, timing, and positioning needs.
While SpaceX has not disclosed specific accuracy metrics for its PNT service, the company says that its system can maintain stable operations even if GPS becomes unavailable. This capability lays the groundwork for delivering reliable and resilient PNT solutions to a global user base.
Competition Heats Up in the GPS Alternative Space
SpaceX is not alone in this endeavor. Globalstar, the satellite provider behind Apple’s emergency SOS feature, also submitted a letter to the FCC promoting its own PNT capabilities. Globalstar’s satellites operate outside the L-band, providing added protection against GPS jamming and spoofing, with signals at 2.4GHz that are reportedly stronger than traditional GPS signals.
Other companies, including OneWeb, Eutelsat, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, could also develop PNT solutions, further diversifying the market.
