DSIT publishes Call for Evidence to PNT and Growth
The National PNT Office has launched a Call for Evidence to support Action 9 of the Government Policy Framework for Greater PNT Resilience. The goal is to develop a PNT growth strategy that includes R&D programmes, standards, and testing to boost innovation and productivity through Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technologies.
Click here to submit your response to the consultation.
PNT is critical to UK infrastructure and services (e.g., telecoms, emergency services, transport). Currently reliant on GNSS (mainly GPS), the UK faces risks from GNSS disruptions. Developing resilient, GNSS-independent PNT is both a national need and a market opportunity.
Purpose & Key Objectives
The National PNT Office has launched this call for evidence to deepen its understanding of the UK’s Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) market and to inform the development of a national PNT growth strategy. This initiative aims to identify where the UK is best positioned to lead in PNT innovation and adoption, and to explore how PNT technologies can drive productivity and economic growth across sectors.
A key focus is to assess the current landscape of PNT technologies and services in the UK, including both GNSS-dependent and GNSS-independent solutions. The evidence gathered will help determine which technologies have the greatest potential for growth and resilience, and which sectors stand to benefit most from their adoption. This will enable the government to prioritise support for high-impact technologies and applications.
The consultation also seeks to uncover the barriers that hinder market entry, commercialisation, and user adoption of PNT solutions. By engaging with industry, academia, and end users, the National PNT Office aims to gain insights into how best to support the journey from research to market, strengthen the UK’s PNT supply chain, and address challenges facing the sector. Ultimately, this evidence will shape a strategy that supports innovation, resilience, and long-term growth in the UK’s PNT ecosystem.
Response Details
- Format: 38 questions (mostly optional).
- Deadline: Open until 11:59 pm on 25 August 2025.
- Submission: Online and alternative formats for submission are described on the webpage.
This call for evidence invites contributions from a broad range of stakeholders across the PNT ecosystem. Businesses that develop, sell, or rely on PNT technologies are encouraged to share their insights, as are end users who depend on PNT services in their operations.
Academics, researchers, and members of professional bodies with expertise in PNT or related fields are also welcome to contribute, offering valuable perspectives on the current research landscape and future innovation potential. In addition, members of PNT-related catapults—who play a key role in bridging research and industry—are invited to provide input on commercialisation pathways and sector-specific challenges.
Finally, individuals from the general public with an interest in PNT and its role in the UK’s technological and economic future are encouraged to participate. Diverse viewpoints will help ensure that the resulting strategy is inclusive, informed, and aligned with the needs of all stakeholders.
Framework for Greater PNT Resilience
PNT services are foundational to the UK economy and society, underpinning critical sectors such as telecommunications, emergency services, finance, and transport. Their adoption is already transforming industries like agriculture, aviation, drones, and rail by improving efficiency and solving sector-specific challenges. However, to fully realise the economic and technological potential of PNT—especially resilient, GNSS-independent solutions—further innovation and investment are needed. Recognising this, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is advancing efforts to ensure that all regions, sectors, and communities can benefit from PNT-enabled growth, while also addressing the national security and economic risks posed by over-reliance on vulnerable satellite-based systems.
The economic and societal importance of PNT is significant. A 2023 report estimated the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) contributes £13.62 billion annually to the UK economy, while a 7-day outage could cost £7.64 billion. Recognising these risks, the UK government introduced the Framework for Greater PNT Resilience in 2023.
This framework outlines strategic initiatives such as establishing a National PNT Office, developing sovereign alternatives like eLORAN and a National Timing Centre, and enhancing infrastructure with resilient technologies. It also includes proposals for skills development and next-generation innovations like quantum navigation.
Contact us
Tales Gaspar
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
Josh Turpin
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
