NextNav Inc. announced a new expansion of its TerraPoiNT 5G‑based 3‑D positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) platform into the Japanese market through a partnership with Tokyo‑based MetCom, Inc. The deal builds on a licensing agreement signed in January 2021 and a commercial agreement for the Pinnacle service in June 2022, making this the first time NextNav’s technology will be deployed outside the United States.
The partnership allows MetCom to deploy NextNav’s software‑defined PNT services across its existing 5G infrastructure, delivering high‑accuracy indoor positioning for emergency response, logistics and industrial automation. Because NextNav’s platform relies on licensed 900 MHz spectrum and 5G Positioning Reference Signals, MetCom can offer the service without additional hardware, reducing deployment costs and shortening time‑to‑market.
MetCom is currently finalizing the necessary radio licenses from Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Once approved, the service will provide resilient navigation in GPS‑denied environments, a growing demand driven by satellite vulnerability concerns and the need for secure, tamper‑resistant positioning for critical infrastructure.
CEO Mariam Sorond said the partnership “highlights how NextNav’s 5G‑based 3‑D PNT solution can serve as a foundation for resilient location and timing services worldwide.” She added that Japan’s advanced telecommunications ecosystem makes it an ideal testbed for the technology and that the deal “validates the scalability of our platform beyond the United States.”
MetCom CEO Yoshioki Chika noted that the collaboration “strengthens Japan’s ability to deliver reliable PNT capabilities in complex urban environments” and that the partnership “lays the groundwork for the next evolution of location and timing services, building a resilient society in Japan and around the world.”
The expansion is a key milestone in NextNav’s global commercialization strategy. By proving the platform’s viability in a mature 5G market, the company can attract additional international customers and demonstrate the commercial potential of its licensed spectrum assets. The partnership also positions NextNav to capture demand from governments and enterprises seeking resilient navigation solutions in environments where satellite signals are unreliable or vulnerable to jamming and spoofing.
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