AIM Global joined a broad coalition urging the FCC to support resilient backup Positioning, Navigation, and Timing solutions without reconfiguring the 902–928 MHz Lower 900 MHz Band. The letter supports the FCC’s goal of strengthening GPS resilience, but opposes NextNav’s proposal because the band is already heavily used 9and has been for decades) by RFID, utilities, transportation, tolling, public safety, aviation, security systems, IoT, and other critical applications. The coalition argues that introducing high-power 5G operations into a band built around low-power coexistence could create interference, stranded investment, and major economic harm, including estimated RFID replacement costs of $5.0 to $7.2 billion. The letter asks the FCC to dismiss NextNav’s petition and pursue technology-neutral PNT resilience options that do not disrupt the existing Lower 900 MHz ecosystem.
For AIM Global and the automatic identification and data capture community, the Lower 900 MHz Band is especially important because it supports RAIN RFID and other technologies that help organizations identify, track, and manage products, assets, and shipments. These systems are deeply embedded in retail, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, defense, transportation, and many other sectors.
The coalition letter warns that NextNav’s proposal would introduce high-power 5G operations into a band that has long been structured around low-power coexistence. According to the coalition, this could significantly reduce spectrum availability for current users, change the operating environment for deployed devices, and create risks of interference, degraded performance, stranded investment, and higher costs.
The coalition also emphasizes that there are other paths available for strengthening PNT resilience. The U.S. Department of Transportation and other federal agencies are already evaluating multiple complementary PNT technologies, including terrestrial and satellite-based alternatives. A technology-neutral, multi-solution approach would allow the country to advance GPS resilience without prematurely selecting one company’s preferred spectrum-based model or disrupting an ecosystem that already supports billions of dollars in economic activity.
The full letter can be viewed here.
Following up on this item, the June 4, 2026 House Energy and Commerce hearing focused on the national need for resilient PNT capabilities, including GPS backup solutions for national security, critical infrastructure, public safety, communications, energy, finance, transportation, and emergency response. Chairman Hudson’s opening statement emphasized that GPS disruptions from jamming, spoofing, or satellite threats could have major consequences for the U.S. economy and national security, while also highlighting complementary PNT as a bipartisan priority.
Vide from this meeting can be accessed here.
As policymakers continue reviewing PNT resilience options, AIM Global will continue advocating for standards-based, interoperable, and practical solutions that protect critical infrastructure while enabling innovation. The Lower 900 MHz Band is not lightly used. It is an essential part of the modern identification, data capture, and connected technology ecosystem.
AIM Global is proud to stand with coalition partners in supporting GPS resilience while urging the FCC to protect the Lower 900 MHz Band and the many industries, organizations, and consumers that depend on it.