GPS Service Outages

The news last week had reports of GPS jamming in airplanes in northern Europe. This was occurring in Poland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, and Lithuania. It was also noted that there was almost no reported issue in Belarus or in Kaliningrad. The last part, as they would say, is a clue. It would appear Russia is jamming GPS signals. And after the attack Moscow just went through I would expect more things of this nature in the near future.

Yesterday Israel lost GPS services. The news reports saying Israel itself is blocking the services over fears of an Iranian missile strike. Which seems like a solid reason to shut down this capability in your own country.

Why bring up these issues with GPSs? What does it matter? Mostly that we are very reliant on GPS technology as a people now. Fewer and fewer people can drive without a GPS and even less are able to navigate on foot without a GPS or GPS enabled cell phone. Most logistics and delivery companies are heavily reliant on this technology as well.

If we had a GPS jamming event here, how would that impact you? Would you be able to navigate home? Would you be able to find your way to your family and friends? Can you navigate in the forest? Or cover distance on foot where every extra mile is one that could tax your body.

Something to consider, especially as our nation is having strained relations with powerful peers. In a world where open conflict is a diplomatic nightmare but attacks of sabotage that can be denied seem to be occurring on a regular and reoccurring basis.

More skills, less reliance on technology might just be the wave of the future especially as the US’s position at the top is challenged.

-Joe