A costly spectrum power-play would put consumers last

The Hill

by Diana Furchtgott-Roth, opinion contributor

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a critical tool for American families, businesses, and the military, providing essential positioning, navigation, and timing services that underpin daily life and national security. However, the system’s vulnerability to hostile actors, cyberattacks, and natural events like electromagnetic storms highlights a growing concern: the potential misuse of the spectrum power-play to prioritize corporate or political interests over consumer welfare. The article underscores the delicate balance between technological reliance and vulnerabilities, emphasizing how GPS signals travel through the radio frequency spectrum—a shared resource increasingly contested by various stakeholders. This competition for spectrum access could lead to policies that favor private companies or military operations at the expense of public safety and consumer rights. Such power struggles raise ethical and political questions about who should control these critical resources and whether decisions align with the broader public interest. From a political perspective, the stakes are high. Spectrum allocation decisions can impact national security, economic stability, and everyday life for millions of Americans. The article warns that without proper safeguards, consumers could be left exposed to potential disruptions or exploitation, further exacerbating existing vulnerabilities in an already fragile system. This issue calls for greater transparency and collaboration among governments, businesses, and citizens to ensure that the spectrum is managed in a way that prioritizes public good. Ultimately, the debate over GPS vulnerabilities and spectrum power-play reflects broader tensions between technological innovation and regulatory oversight. As adversaries seek to exploit these weaknesses, it becomes increasingly clear that protecting the integrity of GPS services is not just a technical challenge but a political one—one that demands careful consideration of both short-term gains and long-term consequences for national security and consumer welfare.

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Originally published on The Hill on 2/24/2026