SpaceX to FCC: We Can Supply a GPS Alternative Through Starlink
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    19 years
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https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacex-to-fcc-we-can-supply-a-gps...
As the Federal Communications Commission considers GPS alternatives, SpaceX says its Starlink satellites are already up for the task.
The company made its pitch in a Wednesday letter to the FCC after the commission kicked off a public inquiry about developing alternatives to GPS, which has long been run through a single provider, the US Defense Department.
The FCC’s goal is to usher in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions to complement GPS. In response, SpaceX sent a five-page letter that noted: "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.”
The letter says SpaceX has already been working on a PNT system for its cellular Starlink service, which is in public beta and will launch through T-Mobile in July.
“SpaceX has also been actively working to integrate PNT solutions into its direct-to-device commercial service offerings,” the company wrote. “In so doing, SpaceX can advance the Commission’s goal in this proceeding to maintain American leadership in next-generation PNT services both here at home and in over 130 countries it serves around the world.”
SpaceX didn't say how it would offer the PNT system for public use, writing only that “SpaceX looks forward to playing an integral role in creating a more robust, resilient, and secure PNT ecosystem for Americans and people around the world.”
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The letter also notes that Starlink satellites can already operate independent of GPS. “This capability not only allows those systems to operate unhindered even if GPS is unavailable, it also sets the foundation for future solutions that can use any authorized frequency to deliver accurate, reliable, and resilient PNT to any end user device," it says.
SpaceX previously told the FCC it's advocating for an open approach to GPS alternatives "that promotes security, resilience, and continual innovation," over technologies that lock the device into a "proprietary solution." "Standards bodies such as the 3GPP have been hard at work on a new release that would integrate 'GNSS-free' PNT," the company told the Commission last month. "Next-generation satellite systems using these standards could offer consumers GNSS-free PNT as a part of a co-primary MSS service or through supplemental coverage from space."
Wednesday’s letter further indicates that SpaceX is preaching for the development of a “diversified and robust” PNT ecosystem. That said, SpaceX took some shots at Hughesnet’s parent EchoStar, alleging the company’s control of the 2GHz radio spectrum for a mobile satellite service (MSS) remains unused.
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The FCC might agree. On Monday, the agency began soliciting public comment about whether EchoStar is utilizing the 2GHz band for MSS consistent with the terms of its authorizations and the Commission’s rules and policies governing the expectation of robust MSS.”
In the meantime, SpaceX isn’t alone in trying to pitch its satellite services as a backup to GPS. Apple satellite provider Globalstar also sent a letter to the FCC about how its services “can function as either an alternative or a complement to GPS.”
“Notably, Globalstar’s satellites transmit outside of the L-band, which provides PNT users with added immunity from GPS jamming and spoofing,” the company said. “In addition, Globalstar’s satellite transmissions at 2.4GHz are stronger than GPS signals, bolstering resilience, performance, and reliability.”
Starlink and their GPS replacement suggestiion
I only have one comment regarding this idea, "how much will the subscription cost?"
Presently using standalone GPS units, the greatest cost is the actual unit. As a corporate entity Starlink will not be providing their service for free as the case with using present technology. Starlink will require a monthly/yearly user fee ( like Onstar) and you will need to purchase a compatible Starlink approved receiving device.
I am happy with my stand alone garmins that I can put into any vehicle I use, rental cars included.
Skywatcher
Yea, x2 on that one. Sounds
Yea, x2 on that one. Sounds like he's looking to corner the market and maybe eventually bump Onstar.
No fan of Musk, but...
...I won't get into that here.
However, I think this is all related to recent stories about gps being blocked in a variety of places by a variety of bad actors. So, it makes sense to have multiple systems to fall back on for critical applications like airplanes, etc. I assume that any of the alternative could also be blocked, but it's been a long time since the original system was conceived, so maybe there are better (more secure) ways to design a new system?
I've been reading about some kind of "quantum navigation) system that might be immune to any kind of blocking, but it may just be in the theoretical stage now. For example:
https://www.sandboxaq.com/learn/quantum-navigation
Don't know where you use gps, but I doubt I'll need an alternative to traditional GPS for driving around in my car.
boydsmaps.com
SpaceX to FCC: We Can Supply a GPS Alternative Through Starlink
...Don't know where you use gps, but I doubt I'll need an alternative to traditional GPS for driving around in my car.
I typically run my GPS even driving around town. While I certainly don't need to run it, but I like to see that things are working as they should.
My wife and I just returned from a trip in our RV. We were gone nearly 3 weeks and in a number of different states. We needed something to help us navigate.
I would also add that prior to retirement a year ago, one of the jobs I had was in Minneapolis MN. While I didn't need the Garmin for the route, I did need it for traffic updates. There were a number of times that I was alerted to a slowdown due to a traffic accident. I was able to take an alternate route and avoid being late for work.
Ironically, I was "late to the party" when it comes to traffic features. I recall it being discussed here years ago and since I didn't need it when I was working a different job, I didn't pay it much attention.
Now, particularly on longer RV trips, the traffic function is greatly appreciated. And, like I have mentioned in the past, it is quite nice to run two devices on long distance trips. Garmin with City Navigator and Google Maps work very well for us.
Do we really need to privatize our defense.
There are several issues. Putting a private company in charge of a vital resource can be problematic if the company has a different agenda. There are reports that Elon Musk cut Starlink service to Ukraine during the early part of the war. "The decision disrupted Ukraine's counteroffensive efforts and has strained the country's trust in Starlink." The government has been working for decades to mitigate the effects of GPS denial. Any PNT solution using RF would be subject to the same methods to deny service as GPS. There are other methods of navigation being developed that don't rely on receiving an RF signal.
hello
hello
Thanks...
This is interesting information.
RKF (Brookeville, MD) Garmin Nuvi 660, 360 & Street Pilot
Great!
More Orwellian 1984 tracking but at a global level
Never argue with a pig. It makes you look foolish and it anoys the hell out of the pig!
some explanation
Starlink shuts down its GPS-style cheat code. Researchers may unlock it anyway
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/05/starlink-blocks-acce...
Good details
Starlink shuts down its GPS-style cheat code. Researchers may unlock it anyway
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/05/starlink-blocks-access-to-its-gps-alternative-ahead-of-spacex-ipo/
That is a good article, and gives some clarity on what people are actually doing.
I own a first-generation Starlink user terminal, which is up on my roof, and actually provided the connection by which these words are typed. I have not dismantled the dish, but have seen teardowns, and mine does have an actual GPS receiver onboard. I had no idea that I used to have an option to view the dish location using only Starlink resources without relying on the onboard GPS. But I don't carry it on a boat in areas with intensive jamming or spoofing, so have not had the need.
personal GPS user since 1992