A costly spectrum power-play would put consumers last – Opinion in The Hill

February 24, 2026

Written by Editor

Image: RNT Foundation

What’s new: An opinion piece by RNT Foundation member and former Deputy Asst. Sec. of Transportation Diana Furchtgott-Roth.

Why it’s important: The FCC is considering actions that could impact national PNT policy and systems. Diana makes a series of excellent points succinctly and cogently.

What else to know: The last time one of our prominent members wrote an opinion piece on this topic a lobbyist hired a hit piece in extremist media. It included a personal attack and claimed RNT Foundation opposed the President’s efforts to implement a backup for GPS. 

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill

A costly spectrum power-play would put consumers last

American families, businesses, and the military rely on the Global Positioning System for advanced positioning, navigation, and timing. When people use navigation apps to drive across town, they depend on signals from a constellation of 32 satellites, whose signals are vulnerable to hostile actors, cyberattacks and such natural events as electromagnetic storms.The good news is that the need for a resilient GPS backup has been recognized. Dozens of companies and universities have developed alternative systems. The Department of Transportation tested 20 technologies in 2020, nine more in 2025, and is evaluating five additional systems this year. The marketplace is vibrant and competitive.

The bad news is that one publicly-traded company — NextNav — has asked the Federal Communications Commission to rewrite long‑standing rules governing a portion of the radiofrequency spectrum that has been used for decades by other industries. The FCC is reportedly preparing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to consider repurposing the lower 900 MHz band for its benefit.

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What can you do? How can you help?

PNT is the quiet backbone of everything — power, finance, transportation, defense. Too many leaders still don’t see the risk.

But you do.
You understand the systems, the dependencies, the failure chains. That insight is rare — and it’s exactly what your country needs.

So speak up.
Reach out to government leaders, industry decision‑makers, and your fellow citizens.
Show them why resilient PNT isn’t a feature — it’s the necessary foundation.
And when you get a response, tell us. Every conversation strengthens the mission.

 

What Can YOU Do? How Can YOU Help?

PNT is the quiet backbone of everything but too many leaders still don’t see the risk.

But you do. You understand the systems, the dependencies, the failure chains. That insight is rare — and it’s exactly what your country needs right now. Contact your government leaders and industry decision-makers and tell them resilient PNT isn’t a feature — it’s the foundation everything else depends on.

Start the Conversation

Use our Resilient PNT Key Talking Points to make the case.

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Find your representatives at Congress.gov, then use our email template to reach them in minutes.

When you get a response, let us know. Every conversation strengthens the mission.

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