NextNav CEO Joins CTIA Board, Strengthening Spectrum Policy Focus
Event summary
- Mariam Sorond, CEO of NextNav, joins CTIA's Board of Directors effective January 27, 2026.
- Sorond brings expertise in spectrum policy and communications infrastructure from roles at VMware, CableLabs, and DISH Network.
- NextNav specializes in 3D Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions as a terrestrial complement to GPS.
- Sorond has advised NTIA and FCC, adding regulatory insights to CTIA's governance.
The big picture
CTIA's addition of Mariam Sorond reflects the growing intersection of wireless innovation and national security priorities. Her background in spectrum policy and 5G infrastructure aligns with CTIA's mission to strengthen America's positioning in global telecommunications. NextNav's focus on terrestrial PNT solutions underscores the industry's push for resilient alternatives to GPS, critical for both economic and security applications.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Influence
- How Sorond's NTIA and FCC advisory experience will shape CTIA's spectrum policy advocacy.
- 5G Expansion
- Whether NextNav's terrestrial PNT solutions will accelerate 5G network resilience initiatives.
- National Security Focus
- The pace at which CTIA integrates national security considerations into its wireless industry agenda.
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