Washington D.C.– On this five-year anniversary of President Trump’s Executive Order 13905, which called for strengthening the resilience of Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is highlighting its groundbreaking Broadcast Positioning System™ (BPS™) as a proven solution to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure, economic security and public safety.
Invented and patented by NAB, BPS is a first-of-its-kind technology that leverages the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard to transmit precise timing signals. Unlike GPS, which relies on satellites that can be vulnerable to jamming, spoofing and cyberattacks, BPS provides a high-power terrestrial-based solution that ensures critical systems remain operational even during GPS disruptions.
"President Trump’s Executive Order 13905 was a turning point, recognizing the vulnerabilities of GPS and calling for the urgent need to strengthen national resilience through secure, alternative PNT solutions. NAB answered that call with the invention of BPS,” said Sam Matheny, NAB executive vice president and chief technology officer. “By leveraging local TV stations and the NextGen ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard, BPS strengthens our nation’s lifeline critical infrastructure by providing an independent and resilient solution to ensure our economic and national security.”
Why BPS is Essential
GPS acts as the backbone of the nation’s infrastructure, delivering precision timing vital for:
However, GPS satellites can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, jamming and spoofing, making a complementary, independent system critical. BPS addresses these vulnerabilities by:
Recent Progress and Findings
A National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) study confirmed BPS as a viable complementary PNT solution. The study concluded, “BPS time transfer is comparable to or better than the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), making BPS a viable complementary PNT solution when GNSS is unavailable.”
Meanwhile, the National Security Space Association notes that the economic value of GPS to the U.S. is measured in trillions of dollars, and the consequences of its disruption or loss could be catastrophic, impacting transportation, critical infrastructure and national security.
A National Call to Action
To fully realize the potential of BPS, policymakers must prioritize the nationwide deployment of ATSC 3.0. Congress can expedite this transition to ensure BPS protects critical infrastructure and strengthens economic resilience.
“Local TV and radio stations have always been at the forefront of public safety and emergency communications,” Matheny said. “With BPS, NAB has pioneered a cutting-edge solution that protects our nation’s most vital systems and ensures long-term security, reliability and economic stability.”
For more information about BPS, visit nab.org/bps.
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at nab.org.
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