FCC chair says we’re too dependent on GPS and wants to explore ‘alternatives’

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote on an inquiry to investigate alternatives to GPS, as stated by FCC chair Brendan Carr in a blog post. Carr emphasizes the importance of GPS while acknowledging its fallibility, noting that disruptions to GPS could have adverse effects on the nation's economy and security. He emphasizes the need for redundant technologies and announces the FCC's intention to conduct an inquiry into other Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems that could potentially complement or substitute GPS. Apart from GPS, Carr mentions that the commission will also address two proposals related to 911 technology. One proposal aims to update existing rules to ensure the resilience, reliability, interoperability, and accessibility of Next Generation 911 (NG911), an internet-connected emergency technology slated to replace traditional 911 systems. The second proposal seeks to enhance 911 location accuracy rules to provide first responders with more precise location information, potentially enabling them to locate callers within specific floors of buildings. These matters are scheduled to be discussed at the FCC's forthcoming open meeting on March 27th. --- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is preparing to vote on an inquiry exploring alternatives to GPS, as per FCC chair Brendan Carr's blog post. Carr highlights the significance of GPS while acknowledging its imperfections and the potential risks associated with disruptions to the system. He stresses the necessity of developing backup technologies and announces the FCC's upcoming vote on an inquiry into other Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems that could act as supplements or substitutes for GPS. In addition to addressing GPS, Carr mentions that the commission will vote on two proposals concerning 911 technology. One proposal aims to revise current regulations to safeguard the resilience, reliability, interoperability, and accessibility of Next Generation 911 (NG911), an internet-based emergency technology set to replace legacy 911 systems. Another proposal seeks to enhance the precision of 911 location accuracy rules to improve the location details provided to emergency responders, potentially enabling them to pinpoint callers on specific floors of buildings. These topics are tentatively scheduled for discussion at the FCC's open meeting on March 27th.