NextNav Seeks More Spectrum

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NextNav (NASDAQ: NN) which makes next generation positioning, navigation, timing (PNT) and 3D geolocation products, wants the FCC to rearrange the lower 900 MHz band (902-928 MHz) to enable a terrestrial PNT network and broadband.

In a petition for rulemaking, NextNav asked the FCC to reconfigure the band and adopt new rules to: enable a “high-quality” terrestrial complement and backup to the Global Positioning System (GPS) on which the nation relies for essential PNT services. The rules would also provide 15 MHz of low-band spectrum for use by mobile broadband networks.  

“We have the chance to do something exciting with our airwaves. This new vision for the lower 900 MHz band unleashes spectrum for essential PNT solutions as well as broadband – all while protecting licensed incumbent operations,” stated NextNav CEO Mariam Sorond. “In a time when spectrum is scarce, we have a solution to prioritize national security and public safety and free up spectrum for 5G.”

NextNav recently signed an agreement to acquire spectrum licenses covering an additional 4 MHz in the lower 900 MHz band from Telesaurus Holdings GB LLC and Skybridge Spectrum Foundation. On March 28, the Superior Court of the State of California, Alameda County, issued an Order approving the request to sell all of its lower 900 MHz spectrum holdings to NextNav, allowing the parties to move forward with obtaining FCC approval.

NextNav says it’s the main geographic licensee in the lower 900 MHz band and has used its existing licenses to develop PNT expertise and products. But the company says much of this band is underused due to a legacy band plan and rules that limit use of the spectrum for 5G.

As a part of its proposed new band plan, NextNav would enable a terrestrial PNT service to serve as a needed backup and complement to GPS. Today in the U.S., GPS is vulnerable to attack through jamming, spoofing, and other targeting events, according to NextNav. By reconfiguring the band, the company says the FCC can pave the way for NextNav’s technology to provide terrestrial PNT services as a complement or backup to GPS – without additional legislation or taxpayer dollars.

The lower 900 MHz band plan also creates access to 15 MHz of low-band spectrum for 5G services. NextNav expects to partner with mobile network operators or others interested in commercial deployment in the band for 5G. NextNav intends to ensure incumbent operations are protected.

By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief

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