US Will Find Alternative GPS To Maintain National Security

US is looking for an alternative GPS (photo: Doc. unsplash)

JAKARTA The Global Positioning System (GPS), a satellite-based navigation system, has been in use for decades around the world. Although this system is still relied on, America plans to find a replacement.

The plan was unveiled by the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, on March 5. In a post, Carr said that the Commission had launched an agenda for an open meeting, namely regarding the exploration of alternative GPS.

According to the agency, the country relies too much on GPS in various lines of life, ranging from emergency responses, military operations, to directional instructions. Although urgently needed, the Commission believes that the use of this system needs to be reduced.

This was done not because of the very poor GPS performance, but because of the potential for economic destruction and national security. Carr stated that relying too much on one system would make the country 'exposable'.

"The risk to our current system is only increasing. That is why leaders from President Trump to Chairman Cruz and Senator Markey have all recommended that the government take action to ensure we have a formidable system," Carr said, quoted on Friday, January 7.

In line with US President Donald Trump's recommendation to take more advanced action in building a more resilient system, the Commission also voted on the exploration of the Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) system. Hopefully, this system can be a companion to GPS.

"We hope that this effort will involve stakeholders throughout government and industry to encourage the development of new PNT technologies and solutions. As a country, it is important for us to catch up with other countries," said Carr.