This Tech Xplore article explains that researchers have demonstrated how signals from Starlink and OneWeb, that is, satellite constellations originally built for internet connectivity, can double up as reliable positioning tools in locations where traditional GPS struggles.
Because conventional Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) often struggle in remote regions such as the Arctic, under heavy forest cover, or in dense urban areas, there is a growing need for alternative ways to determine position, navigation, and timing (PNT).
In tests near Greenland’s coast, researchers merged signals from Starlink and OneWeb with simple height data from a vessel. The outcome: positioning accuracy improved dramatically. Without GNSS, location errors exceeded a kilometer; using the LEO-satellite signals, errors fell to roughly 27 meters.
The study identifies two advantages of low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites over classical GNSS. First, their low altitude and dense constellation increase the likelihood of satellite visibility, even in challenging terrain or at high latitudes. Second, combining signals from multiple LEO networks (rather than relying on a single system) improves redundancy and reduces the risk posed by jamming or interference.
Taken together, the findings present a compelling case for treating LEO-internet satellites as more than just a data-relay network: they might become real alternatives, or complements, to GNSS, especially for ships, remote-region navigation, or any application where GNSS reliability is questionable. The research suggests we may soon depend on “internet satellites” not only for communication but also for precise location services.