NextNav and Anterix, two companies with small holdings in the 900MHz band, are embracing new leadership and showcasing optimism about their future prospects. Both companies are targeting distinct markets with innovative strategies for their spectrum assets.

“It is truly an honor to lead this great organization, and I’m excited about what lies ahead,” said Scott Lang, the newly appointed CEO of Anterix, during the company’s latest earnings call. Lang succeeds Rob Schwartz, who stepped down last month.

Mariam Sorond, CEO of NextNav, echoed similar enthusiasm. “This is an exciting time for our business,” she stated. Sorond, who stepped into her role last year, brings a wealth of experience from her tenure at VMware, CableLabs, and Dish Network.

While both companies operate within the same frequency band, their approaches are markedly different. NextNav is advancing plans to repurpose its 900MHz spectrum to support positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services, potentially creating a GPS alternative and a complement for 5G networks. Conversely, Anterix is focused on selling or leasing its spectrum to utility companies, enabling private broadband networks for critical infrastructure.

NextNav’s Spectrum Proposal

Earlier this year, NextNav submitted a proposal to the FCC to reconfigure a portion of its 900MHz holdings for PNT services and 5G. The company argued that its solution could serve as a secure alternative to GPS, safeguarding critical systems from potential adversarial threats.

While the proposal has gained attention, it has also faced strong opposition. A coalition of industry groups—including Airlines for America, the American Petroleum Institute, the Telecommunications Industry Association, and the Wi-Fi Alliance—filed comments urging the FCC to reject the petition, citing potential risks and insufficient details to address those concerns.

Despite this resistance, Sorond remains confident. “There were no real surprises or showstoppers,” she remarked, referencing the numerous filings on the proposal. She also expressed hope that the FCC, under its anticipated leadership, would support NextNav’s vision.

Anterix’s Strategy

Anterix continues to advance its mission of enabling private wireless broadband for utility companies. Under Lang’s leadership, the company plans to further expand its partnerships within the energy sector, emphasizing the critical role of reliable connectivity in modernizing infrastructure.

Both companies are charting unique paths within the 900MHz spectrum space, leveraging leadership changes and bold strategies to drive innovation and growth in their respective domains.

The context

Anterix and NextNav aren't the only companies working to generate interest in their spectrum holdings. Indeed, Verizon's new $1 billion spectrum purchase from UScellular again highlights the value of such holdings.

But other spectrum transactions haven't materialized.

For example, T-Mobile this summer conducted an auction of its 13.5MHz nationwide chunk of 800MHz spectrum, with a $3.6 billion minimum bid, after EchoStar's Dish Network dropped plans to purchase the licenses. But T-Mobile officials recently said no bidder qualified to purchase the spectrum, thereby leaving it with T-Mobile.

That's noteworthy considering T-Mobile previously identified engineering giant Burns & McDonnell as a potential buyer of its 800MHz holdings. In a court filing, Burns & McDonnell said it could purchase the spectrum in order to sell it to its utility customers and others.

T-Mobile officials said the company has yet to decide whether to use that 800MHz spectrum in its network or sell it.

Article updated November 18 to correct Anterix customer list.

Original Article from: www.lightreading.com