On May 15, 2025, SpaceX submitted a proposal to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), advocating for its Starlink satellite constellation to serve as a complementary or alternative system to the Global Positioning System (GPS) for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services. (ISPreview UK)
The FCC is currently seeking to enhance the resilience of PNT services in the United States, which have historically relied on GPS operated by the Department of Defense. SpaceX highlighted Starlink's potential to deliver PNT services alongside its broadband offerings, emphasizing the system's capability to operate independently of GPS. (Tesery Official Store, TESLARATI)
In its letter, SpaceX stated: "As the Commission identifies specific actions to contribute to the whole-of-government PNT system resilience effort, one opportunity stands out as a particularly ripe, low-hanging fruit: facilitating the rapid deployment of next-generation low-Earth orbit (‘LEO’) satellite constellations that can deliver PNT as a service alongside high-speed, low-latency broadband and ubiquitous mobile connectivity." (TESLARATI)
SpaceX also noted its ongoing efforts to integrate PNT solutions into its direct-to-device commercial service offerings, aiming to advance the FCC's goal of maintaining American leadership in next-generation PNT services both domestically and internationally. (TESLARATI)
The company emphasized that Starlink's existing infrastructure, including its low Earth orbit satellites and phased-array user terminals, offers advantages such as global coverage, short signal travel times, and enhanced signal integrity. These features position Starlink as a viable component in a layered approach to national PNT resilience. (GNSS)
This proposal aligns with the FCC's initiative to explore technological solutions that bolster the robustness of PNT services, ensuring national security, public safety, and economic stability. (GNSS)
