SpaceX to FCC: We Can Supply a GPS Alternative Through Starlink

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.”

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 a “technology-neutral approach” with GPS alternatives. Wednesday’s letter reiterates the point, 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. 

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.”

5 Things to Know About Starlink Satellite Internet

About Michael Kan

Senior Reporter

I’ve been working as a journalist for over 15 years—I got my start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City and joined PCMag in 2017.

Read Michael’s full bio

Read the latest from Michael Kan