NextNav’s 5G-Powered 3D PNT Solution Delivers GPS-Like Positioning Accuracy Even Where Satellite Signals Fail

NextNav , a leader in next-generation terrestrial positioning, navigation, and timing  and 3D geolocation solutions,  announced initial real-world field validation of single-digit-meter positioning performance using standards-based 5G Positioning Reference Signals . The company conducted field testing over the air in both outdoor and indoor environments, achieving single-digit-meter horizontal accuracy using PRS signals transmitted from its 5G PNT Network in Santa Clara County, California. In outdoor environments where GPS comparison was possible, NextNav’s positioning accuracy was within one meter of GPS.

These initial testing results mark a significant technical milestone in NextNav’s work to commercialize a 5G-powered 3D PNT solution that can complement and back up GPS. Field testing was conducted across 17 urban and suburban test locations, consisting of 10 outdoor and 7 indoor locations, within NextNav’s 5G PNT Network footprint.

“The positioning performance NextNav has already achieved shows that GPS-like accuracy can be extended into indoor and dense urban environments where satellite signals often cannot reliably reach,” said Sameet Deshpande, NextNav’s Senior Principal Engineer. “That is exactly why a terrestrial 5G-powered 3D PNT layer is so important. Our solution will complement GPS and help make indoor and GPS-challenged location accuracy possible for a wide range of applications ranging from public safety and national security to civilian and commercial use cases.”

The testing was designed to evaluate horizontal positioning performance in environments where ground-based 5G-Powered PNT can provide the greatest value, including indoor spaces and urban areas where satellite-based systems are sometimes degraded or unavailable. NextNav’s AI-based optimization of the multipath mitigation, ranging, and positioning algorithms are expected to improve positioning performance, accuracy, and resilience even more.

“This milestone builds on NextNav’s nearly 20-year track record of developing and deploying ground-based 3D PNT technologies and networks,” said Deepak Joseph, NextNav’s Vice President of Product Management. “By combining 5G PNT capabilities with low-band spectrum and embedding NextNav’s solution into cellular infrastructure, the company can deliver GPS-like positioning and timing accuracy with 5G PRS signals. Further, by incorporating NextNav’s proven Z-axis technology we can deliver floor-level vertical accuracy.”

Mr. Deshpande will present an in-depth summary of the testing and accompanying results at ION GNSS+ 2026, in Orlando, FL, the world’s largest technical meeting and showcase of GNSS technology, products and services. The presentation is on Thursday, September 17 in the session “Fielding Alternative Technologies in GNSS-Denied Environments.”