FCC Takes Important Step Towards New Band Plan and Creation of Complement and Backup to GPS

NextNav (Nasdaq: NN), a leader in next generation positioning, navigation, timing (PNT) and 3D geolocation, announced today that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a public notice seeking comment on its innovative spectrum solution in the Lower 900 MHz band (902-928 MHz band).  

On April 16, NextNav filed a rulemaking petition asking the FCC to open this proceeding to reconfigure the Lower 900 MHz band and adopt new rules to enable a terrestrial 3D PNT network to complement and back up the Global Positioning System (“GPS”). This rearrangement of the band would also free up 15 MHz of valuable low-band spectrum for 5G broadband while appropriately protecting incumbent operations.  

“We appreciate the FCC’s public notice, an important next step in delivering an innovative spectrum solution in the Lower 900 MHz band,” said NextNav CEO Mariam Sorond. “Providing a complement and backup to GPS is critical for safeguarding things we need daily — from location mapping and tracking services to serving as an important tool for locating emergency callers to addressing critical infrastructure and national security needs. Moreover, our plan creates abundance from scarcity in this band by unleashing much-needed spectrum for wireless technology. These common-sense solutions can benefit consumers and our national interests at no cost to taxpayers.” 

The FCC has requested comments from the public on this proceeding that are due September 5, 2024, followed by reply comments due September 20, 2024. The Commission then considers the comments and reply comments in developing proposed rules.  

NextNav is the primary geographic licensee in the Lower 900 MHz Band and has used its existing licenses to develop industry-leading PNT expertise and products. However, much of this band is underutilized due to a legacy band plan and rules. Reconfiguring the band would pave the way for terrestrial PNT services as a complement and backup to GPS. It also would open 15 MHz of low-band spectrum for 5G broadband.