NAB, Sinclair, and UrsaNav Announce Demonstration to Boost Resilience of Vulnerable GPS System
NAB, Sinclair (NASDAQ: SBGI), and UrsaNav are demonstrating a complementary system to provide precision timing if GPS is compromised. The demonstration showcases the Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) and eLoran as terrestrial alternatives to GPS, which is vulnerable to disruption and attacks.
The economic impact of GPS is significant, having generated approximately $1.4 trillion in economic benefits through 2017 in the U.S. A single day of GPS failure could result in $1.6 billion in losses, while a month-long failure could cost $58.2 billion.
BPS, developed by NAB and enabled by ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV), can be deployed using existing broadcasting infrastructure. The demonstration will take place at NAB Show's Futures Park, with a panel discussion scheduled for April 5.
NAB, Sinclair (NASDAQ: SBGI) e UrsaNav stanno dimostrando un sistema complementare per fornire un temporizzazione precisa nel caso in cui il GPS venga compromesso. La dimostrazione mette in evidenza il Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) e l'eLoran come alternative terrestri al GPS, che è vulnerabile a interruzioni e attacchi.
L'impatto economico del GPS è significativo, avendo generato circa 1,4 trilioni di dollari in benefici economici fino al 2017 negli Stati Uniti. Un singolo giorno di guasto del GPS potrebbe comportare 1,6 miliardi di dollari di perdite, mentre un guasto di un mese potrebbe costare 58,2 miliardi di dollari.
Il BPS, sviluppato da NAB e abilitato da ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV), può essere implementato utilizzando l'infrastruttura di trasmissione esistente. La dimostrazione avrà luogo al Futures Park del NAB Show, con una discussione in programma per il 5 aprile.
NAB, Sinclair (NASDAQ: SBGI) y UrsaNav están demostrando un sistema complementario para proporcionar un cronometraje preciso si el GPS se ve comprometido. La demostración destaca el Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) y el eLoran como alternativas terrestres al GPS, que es vulnerable a interrupciones y ataques.
El impacto económico del GPS es significativo, habiendo generado aproximadamente 1,4 billones de dólares en beneficios económicos hasta 2017 en EE. UU. Un solo día de fallo del GPS podría resultar en 1,6 mil millones de dólares en pérdidas, mientras que un fallo de un mes podría costar 58,2 mil millones de dólares.
El BPS, desarrollado por NAB y habilitado por ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV), se puede implementar utilizando la infraestructura de transmisión existente. La demostración tendrá lugar en el Futures Park del NAB Show, con una discusión programada para el 5 de abril.
NAB, Sinclair (NASDAQ: SBGI), 그리고 UrsaNav는 GPS가 손상될 경우 정밀한 타이밍을 제공하기 위한 보완 시스템을 시연하고 있습니다. 이 시연은 GPS의 대안으로서 방송 위치 시스템(BPS)과 eLoran을 강조하며, GPS는 방해와 공격에 취약합니다.
GPS의 경제적 영향은 상당하며, 2017년까지 미국에서 약 1.4조 달러의 경제적 이익을 창출했습니다. GPS가 하루 동안 작동하지 않으면 16억 달러의 손실이 발생할 수 있으며, 한 달 동안 작동하지 않으면 582억 달러의 비용이 들 수 있습니다.
NAB가 개발하고 ATSC 3.0(NextGen TV)에 의해 가능해진 BPS는 기존 방송 인프라를 사용하여 배치할 수 있습니다. 이 시연은 NAB 쇼의 Futures Park에서 진행되며, 4월 5일에 패널 토론이 예정되어 있습니다.
NAB, Sinclair (NASDAQ: SBGI) et UrsaNav présentent un système complémentaire pour fournir une synchronisation précise si le GPS est compromis. La démonstration met en avant le Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) et l'eLoran comme alternatives terrestres au GPS, qui est vulnérable aux perturbations et aux attaques.
L'impact économique du GPS est significatif, ayant généré environ 1,4 trillion de dollars de bénéfices économiques jusqu'en 2017 aux États-Unis. Une seule journée de défaillance du GPS pourrait entraîner 1,6 milliard de dollars de pertes, tandis qu'un échec d'un mois pourrait coûter 58,2 milliards de dollars.
Le BPS, développé par NAB et rendu possible par ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV), peut être déployé en utilisant l'infrastructure de diffusion existante. La démonstration aura lieu au Futures Park du NAB Show, avec une discussion prévue pour le 5 avril.
NAB, Sinclair (NASDAQ: SBGI) und UrsaNav demonstrieren ein komplementäres System, um präzise Zeitmessung zu bieten, falls GPS beeinträchtigt wird. Die Demonstration zeigt das Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) und eLoran als terrestrische Alternativen zu GPS, das anfällig für Störungen und Angriffe ist.
Die wirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen von GPS sind erheblich und haben bis 2017 in den USA etwa 1,4 Billionen Dollar an wirtschaftlichen Vorteilen generiert. Ein einzelner Tag ohne GPS könnte 1,6 Milliarden Dollar an Verlusten verursachen, während ein einmonatiger Ausfall 58,2 Milliarden Dollar kosten könnte.
Das BPS, entwickelt von NAB und ermöglicht durch ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV), kann unter Verwendung der bestehenden Rundfunkinfrastruktur implementiert werden. Die Demonstration findet im Futures Park der NAB Show statt, mit einer Podiumsdiskussion, die für den 5. April geplant ist.
- Development of alternative GPS timing system using existing infrastructure, reducing implementation costs
- Potential new revenue stream from BPS technology implementation
- Strategic positioning in critical infrastructure security market
- Success depends on complete transition to ATSC 3.0 technology
- Significant competition from established global positioning systems (BeiDou, GLONASS)
Insights
Sinclair's demonstration of GPS-alternative timing technology represents strategic positioning in critical infrastructure with long-term potential, though no immediate revenue impact.
The company is leveraging their existing ATSC 3.0/NextGen TV investments and infrastructure to address what they frame as a "trillion-dollar problem" in GPS vulnerability. By partnering with NAB and UrsaNav, Sinclair is showcasing how broadcast technology could provide essential timing capabilities for telecommunications, utilities, financial services, and other sectors that rely on precise timing signals.
The economic stakes are significant, with the article citing $1.6 billion in daily losses from potential GPS failure. However, this opportunity is contingent on the complete nationwide transition to ATSC 3.0, which remains in progress with no specified completion date.
What's notable is how this positions Sinclair beyond traditional broadcasting revenue models. By connecting their technological capabilities to national security and economic resilience, they're potentially opening pathways to government contracts or service fees from critical infrastructure operators.
While promising, this remains a demonstration without defined contracts, purchase commitments, or clear monetization timeline. The development represents innovative thinking about broadcast spectrum utilization rather than an immediate business catalyst. Investors should view this as a forward-looking strategic initiative that diversifies Sinclair's potential application portfolio beyond consumer-facing broadcasting.
NAB Show Las Vegas
American consumers and industries rely on GPS every day. Yet GPS is vulnerable to disruption or attack, with tremendous economic consequences. While most people understand the value of GPS primarily in terms of location and navigation, GPS also serves a critical function by providing ubiquitous and precise timing information, which is critical for the
NAB, Sinclair, and UrsaNav will demonstrate an alternative timing capability using the Broadcast Positioning System (BPS™) and eLoran as a fully terrestrial solution to complement existing GPS services. BPS, a technology developed by NAB, is enabled by ATSC 3.0, or NextGen TV, and can readily be deployed using broadcasters’ existing infrastructure and spectrum as soon as broadcasters complete the nationwide transition to ATSC 3.0. BPS is one of many features made possible with adoption of ATSC 3.0.
eLoran is an advanced Position, Navigation, and Timing solution evolving from the long line of Loran technologies that were initially developed by the
“Broadcasters have long been essential to public safety, and today we’re proving that role is more important than ever,” said NAB Executive Vice President, Technology and Chief Technology Officer Sam Matheny. “Through technologies like the Broadcast Positioning System, enabled by ATSC 3.0, broadcasters can deliver a resilient solution to support America’s critical infrastructure in the face of growing threats to GPS. Combining BPS with eLoran provides a resilient, frequency diverse, and wholly terrestrial alternative to GPS. We are proud to partner with Sinclair and UrsaNav to demonstrate how broadcasters’ innovation can help safeguard the systems that keep our economy running.”
Del Parks, Sinclair’s President of Technology, said, “GPS vulnerability is a trillion-dollar problem in the
“We should ask ourselves why
About NAB Show
NAB Show is the preeminent conference and exhibition driving the evolution of broadcast, media and entertainment, held April 5-9, 2025 (Exhibits April 6-9) in
About NAB
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.
About Sinclair
Sinclair, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) is a diversified media company and a leading provider of local news and sports. The Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all the major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel and multicast networks Comet, CHARGE!, TBD/ROAR and The Nest. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation’s largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net
About UrsaNav
UrsaNav is the global leader in Low-Frequency (LF) positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) products and solutions such as Loran-C, Enhanced Loran, and LFPhoenix™. UrsaNav’s “sky-free” PNT technology is fully interoperable with, yet completely independent of, GPS or other Global or Regional Navigation Satellite Systems and their augmentations. UrsaNav provides full life-cycle engineering, operations, and support. Our personnel have been involved in Loran-C/D, Chayka, and eLoran systems design, development, and deployment for Federal and Military organizations – around the world - since the early 1970’s. See www.UrsaNav.com for more information.
Category: General
1 O'Connor, A. C., Gallaher, M. P., Clark-Sutton, K. B., Lapidus, D., Oliver, Z., Scott, T. J., Wood, D. W., & Brown, E. G., “Economic benefits of the Global Positioning System (GPS)”, RTI International (2019).
2 Bazelon, Coleman, Sanyal, Paroma, “Public Benefits of Reconfiguring the Lower 900 MHz Band to Support a Backup and Complement to GPS,” (2024).
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250403165738/en/
Media contacts:
NAB: Alex Siciliano, asiciliano@nab.org
Sinclair: Jessica Bellucci, jbellucci-c@sbgtv.com
UrsaNav: Tirena Dingeldein, Tirena.Dingeldein@UrsaNav.com
Source: Sinclair, Inc.
FAQ
What economic impact would a GPS system failure have according to the demonstration by SBGI?
How does Sinclair's BPS technology provide an alternative to GPS?
What industries rely on GPS timing according to the SBGI announcement?
How much economic benefit has GPS generated in the US private sector?
