NextNav to Begin Operating World’s First 5G-Powered PNT Network, Marking Major Step Toward Commercialization

Key Terms

gps technical

A global network of satellites and ground stations that provides precise location and time information to devices on Earth; think of it as a map and clock in the sky that tells a device exactly where and when it is. Investors care because GPS underpins navigation for shipping and delivery, fleet and asset tracking, location-based services, autonomous vehicles, and precise timing for financial networks—so changes in GPS technology, reliability, or competing systems can affect revenue, costs, and risk across many industries.

5g technical

5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology that provides faster internet connections, lower latency, and greater capacity than previous networks. It enables quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and more reliable connections for devices. For investors, 5G represents a significant upgrade in technology infrastructure that can drive growth in related industries such as smartphones, smart cities, and the Internet of Things.

positioning reference signal (prs) technical

A positioning reference signal (PRS) is a dedicated radio signal used by wireless networks to help devices determine their exact location, like fixed landmarks that let you triangulate your position on a map. Investors should care because PRS capability affects a company’s ability to offer precise location services, meet regulatory or safety requirements, and compete in markets such as navigation, asset tracking, and emergency response, which can influence revenue and partnerships.

5G PNT Network in Santa Clara County will mark the first real-world demonstration of a 5G-powered backup to GPS

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NextNav Inc. (Nasdaq: NN), a leader in next-generation terrestrial positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) and 3D geolocation solutions, today announced that it will commence operations of a 5G PNT Network in Santa Clara County, California, as early as December 11. Network operations of positioning, navigation and timing applications represent the next milestone toward commercial readiness and the mission to deliver a resilient complement to GPS.

The 5G PNT Network will consist of multiple fixed base station locations utilizing a standards-compliant 5G signal with a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) enabled, a standalone 5G core, and NextNav’s 3D PNT architecture. The network’s authorized technical parameters will align with those in NextNav’s proposal to optimize the lower 900 MHz band to enable a terrestrial, widescale backup to GPS that is broadly available to critical infrastructure, public safety, and American consumers.

“We’re incredibly pleased to continue demonstrating our technology in a real-world operational environment,” said Mariam Sorond, CEO of NextNav. “Activating this network is a critical step in our commercialization process, proving that robust 5G broadband service and high-integrity PNT can be delivered together, at scale, using standard 5G equipment.”

The 5G PNT Network will validate NextNav’s 5G PRS-based PNT end-to-end architecture under real-world conditions.

“This is the first public demonstration of a full-scale and operational 5G-based PNT in live deployment, delivering both resilient PNT and broadband service simultaneously,” said Arun Raghupathy, NextNav Co-Founder and CTO. “Through this commercialization deployment, we’re validating our 5G-based network can deliver accurate 3D location, improved timing synchronization, and enhanced resilience. This real-world deployment is critical to establishing U.S. leadership in next-generation PNT technologies.”

The 5G PNT Network will support the broader adoption of 5G-based terrestrial PNT with 5G broadband capabilities for operators, enterprises, and ecosystem partners. This deployment will also prove that NextNav’s software solution is ready to scale and deliver commercial PNT while serving the critical national security and public safety needs of the United States.

About NextNav

NextNav Inc. (Nasdaq: NN) is a leader in next-generation 3D Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions. As the nation’s largest license holder in a spectrum band expressly designated for terrestrial positioning services, NextNav is uniquely positioned to enable a widescale terrestrial complement and backup to GPS. Leveraging licensed low-band spectrum and the global 5G ecosystem, NextNav is focused on delivering an accurate, reliable, and resilient 3D PNT solution to protect national security, public safety, and the economy. Learn more at www.nextnav.com.

For more information, please visit https://nextnav.com/ or follow NextNav on X at https://x.com/NextNav or LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextnav/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe”, or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of NextNav's management and are not predictions of actual performance.

These forward-looking statements are also subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the following factors: the failure to realize the anticipated benefits and commercial acceptance of NextNav's technology in various industries (e.g., public safety, mobility, logistics); the possibility of difficulties or delays in the development, deployment, or integration of NextNav's network and related software; adverse future regulatory developments, including potential actions by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or other governmental agencies affecting spectrum allocation, location-based services, the use of licensed spectrum or requirements for E911 compliance; and NextNav's ability to execute its business plan, manage growth, and achieve or sustain profitability. These are only some of the factors that may affect the forward-looking statements contained herein. For additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, see the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, but not limited to, "Risk Factors" in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. If any of these risks materialize or NextNav's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such statements, which speak only as of the date made, and NextNav undertakes no commitment to update or revise the forward-looking statements, except where required by law.

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Source: NextNav