NextNav Aims for Safe Drone-dominant Future with GSMA and Industry Partners

The effort brings together leaders from telecommunications, aviation, security, and drone operations to help shape safer airspace for drones in the future.

The Joint Requirements Statement, created through the GSMA Fusion initiative, explains how mobile networks and programmable network features can support safe, secure, and scalable drone operations as the industry expands.

The statement explains how mobile networks can evolve to support trusted low-altitude aviation. This includes capabilities such as secure positioning, geolocation and reliable multi layer connectivity through terrestrial networks.

It also highlights the need for greater industry coordination as governments, regulators, and aviation authorities work to advance technologies like beyond visual line of sight drone operations, first responder drone programs, autonomous aviation systems, and future passenger eVTOL aircraft.

With nearly 20 years of experience in PNT technology development, NextNav is positioned to quickly deliver dual-use capabilities that support President Trump’s drone leadership objectives.

Earlier this year, NextNav submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of the national strategy for U.S. drone leadership. In its filing, the company outlined how its 5G-powered 3D PNT and sensing technology could help enable safer drone operations.

NextNav will continue working with other participants, including aviation stakeholders, operators, regulators, and standards organizations. The Joint Requirements Statement will be shared through ongoing GSMA Fusion industry engagement efforts.

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“The drone market is scaling far faster than many of today’s airspace and identification frameworks were originally designed for,” said Barney Stinton, Market Development Lead, Aviation at GSMA Fusion. “This Joint Requirements Statement is an important signal from industry that mobile networks have a major role to play in supporting safe, trusted, and interoperable drone operations at scale.”

“NextNav supports American drone dominance and looks forward to partnering with GSMA and industry partners to ensure safe drone airspaces,” said Deepak Joseph, NextNav’s Vice President of Product Management. “Resilient, accurate 3D PNT technology enabled by mobile networks is critical for airspace safety, including navigation. NextNav is committed to improving the availability and continuity of low-altitude 3D positioning, delivering wide-scale horizontal and vertical location information to support uncrewed aircraft systems operations in a growing commercial market.”

About NextNav

Founded in 2008, NextNav Inc. is a leader in next-generation 3D positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) solutions. The company holds the largest licensed spectrum in a band specifically designated for terrestrial positioning services, giving it a strong position to provide a complementary and backup system to GPS. Using licensed low-band spectrum and the global 5G ecosystem, NextNav aims to deliver accurate, reliable, and resilient 3D PNT solutions that support national security, public safety, and the economy.

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