The Federal Communications Commission changed NextNav Inc.’s Other Experimental Technology (OET) license status from “Restricted” to “Permit‑But‑Disclose” on April 14 2026, lifting the prior prohibition on commercial use of the experimental spectrum. The new status allows NextNav to expand testing and early deployment of its terrestrial positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) network, a backup to GPS, without the previous non‑commercial restriction.
NextNav’s business model relies on low‑band spectrum to broadcast high‑strength PNT signals. The regulatory shift removes a key barrier that had slowed the company’s path to a formal Report and Order. While the company has posted net losses—$68 million in Q4 2025 and $58.6 million in Q1 2025—its revenue has grown modestly from $0.95 million in Q4 2025 to $1.5 million in Q1 2025, and it holds $152.1 million in cash and short‑term investments. The permit status is expected to accelerate commercialization and reduce capital requirements, strengthening NextNav’s competitive moat in a market where GPS resilience is a national security priority.
The FCC’s action follows a unanimous March 2025 Notice of Inquiry and a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that positioned NextNav as a key player in national PNT infrastructure. The company has faced opposition from groups representing unlicensed Part 15 devices, tolling authorities, and other incumbent users who worry about interference. NextNav has rebutted these concerns, arguing its technology can coexist with existing devices and that its experimental license complies with FCC conditions.
CEO Mariam Sorond said, “We are confident the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is moving toward a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the near term, supported by a robust and well‑developed record with a path to a Report and Order.” She added that the FCC Chairman’s submission of a PNT rulemaking to the Office of Management and Budget was an “important milestone achieved in rapid time.”
The regulatory change is a significant step for NextNav, potentially shortening the timeline to nationwide deployment and reducing the risk of future regulatory delays. It also signals growing federal support for private sector solutions to enhance PNT resiliency, positioning NextNav to capture a growing market for backup navigation services.
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