NextNav Inc.
04/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/01/2026 09:42
The Public Safety Community Is Speaking Louder: Resilient Networks and 3D Awareness Are Needed Now
Across the public safety community, one theme continues to surface again and again. At industry events and forums, the message is consistent: resilient networks and true 3D awareness aren't optional.
At gatherings like the recent International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) and Indoor Tracking Summit, the conversation isn't just about whether vertical location matters. That question has largely been answered. Instead, the focus has shifted to how industry can deliver this information reliably, at scale, and in ways that support real-world operations.
As one panelist aptly put it at IWCE, "incidents don't happen on maps-they happen in buildings."
For decades, positioning systems have focused on horizontal location (x and y), mapping devices across geography in two dimensions. But first responders don't operate in two dimensions. They operate in complex 3D environments where knowing which floor matters just as much as knowing where on the map.
Public safety operations rely on accurate, reliable location information, especially indoors, in multi-story buildings, and in GPS-denied environments. But GPS alone often cannot provide the level of accuracy or reliability needed in these conditions. Signals weaken indoors, struggle in dense urban environments, and remain vulnerable to disruption.
The result? In critical moments, incident commanders can find themselves effectively "going in blind."
Thankfully, the ecosystem is evolving to meet these needs. Across these events, several key technologies and trends have stood out:
A terrestrial-based backup and complement to GPS, so connectivity is never lost
IoT and sensor integration enabling real-time indoor insights
Advanced GIS and mapping tools enhancing spatial awareness
AI-driven analytics transforming location data into actionable intelligence
In-building wireless systems (DAS, small cells) improving coverage and reliability
Together, these innovations are converging to support something the industry has been working toward for years: true 3D operational awareness.
The impact extends beyond traditional public safety. Sectors such as utilities, transportation, and critical infrastructure are increasingly relying on the same capabilities to improve worker safety, efficiency, and decision-making.
At NextNav, this is a conversation we know well. For almost 20 years, we've worked alongside the public safety community to develop geolocation technologies that reflect real-world needs, especially indoors and vertically. We know that GPS alone isn't enough. We know that accurate, reliable 3D location can fundamentally change how incidents unfold by improving situational awareness, coordination, and outcomes when it matters most. Importantly, this is no longer just a future vision. The technology, partnerships, and ecosystem are aligning to make it real.
The Path Forward
The future of critical communications is being shaped right now by the voices of those on the front lines and the technologies rising to meet their needs.
The message from the industry is clear: the path forward is through standards-based networks that are resilient and widely available to enable mission-critical data like Z-axis. The conversation is getting louder for a reason.
The conversation is continuing at upcoming forums like Broadband Breakfast's webinar on public safety and mission-critical broadband discussion, where stakeholders will examine how policymakers, network operators, and public safety officials are reshaping emergency response.
There's a path forward, and it's clear the community is speaking out loudly to stay the course.
NextNav Inc. published this content on April 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 01, 2026 at 15:42 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]