• Recent reports from the UN highlight an increase in GPS interference.
• Disruptions pose risks to aviation, maritime operations, and emergency services.

A rise in disruptions to satellite-based navigation and communication systems has prompted three UN organisations to issue a joint warning. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) have urged states to strengthen protection for radio-frequency bands used by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

The joint statement highlights a growing number of cases of jamming and spoofing – types of interference that can degrade or manipulate satellite signals. The incidents affect the Radio Navigation Satellite Service (RNSS) frequencies, which support the delivery of positioning, navigation, and timing services across sectors, including aviation, maritime, emergency response, and telecommunications.

“Global Navigation Satellite Systems are important to our safety on land, at sea and in the air,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “Member States should ensure the uninterrupted operation of these systems for everyone’s safety and the resilience of essential services that our lives depend on.”

Real-world disruptions on the rise

Concerns over satellite interference are not new, but recent reports indicate incidents are becoming more widespread. Civil aviation has seen a marked increase in GPS spoofing and jamming incidents, for example. In August 2024, pilots reported more than 1,000 daily spoofing attempts, with aircraft navigation systems displaying incorrect positions.

In northeastern Norway, repeated jamming incidents have been attributed to interference believed to originate from across the border in Russia. Incidents have affected both civilian and commercial flights, prompting crews to rely on backup navigation systems when satellite communications fail.

More specific cases have emerged. A Ryanair flight from London to Vilnius was forced to abort and divert because of suspected GPS interference near NATO’s eastern border. Lithuanian officials are continuing to look into the incident.

The maritime industry has faced similar challenges. In 2019, the British oil tanker Stena Impero was reportedly diverted into Iranian waters due to a spoofing incident. By misrepresenting its true location, attackers were able to redirect the ship.

Reports suggest that conflict zones are increasingly affected. According to The Times, around 1,000 civilian flights per day have experienced navigation disruptions over areas like the Black Sea, Cyprus, Israel, and Ukraine. The incidents involve erroneous position data and interference with safety systems.

The rising availability of spoofing tools is contributing to the increase in incidents. Software-defined radios and open-source GNSS simulation programs have made it easier for attackers to replicate legitimate signals, complicating efforts to detect and mitigate these activities.

Guidance from UN agencies

In response to the growing threat, the joint statement from ICAO, ITU, and IMO outlines several actions for states to consider:

• Prevent unauthorised transmissions that interfere with GNSS signals used for civilian and humanitarian applications.
• Improve the resilience of systems that rely on RNSS, especially in important sectors like aviation, shipping, and emergency response.
• Maintain conventional navigation tools as a backup in the event of satellite outages or misleading signals.
• Increase coordination between radio regulatory authorities, civil aviation, maritime agencies, and national security bodies.
• Report interference incidents to national regulators and the ITU Radiocommunications Bureau to support global monitoring and response.

“Protecting radiocommunications systems from harmful interference is at the core of ITU’s mandate,” said Mario Maniewicz, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau. “We call on our Members to make responsible use of the radiofrequency spectrum, which is a precious, natural and shared resource we rely on for communicating, travelling and working in our daily lives.”

Coordinated approach needed

Radio jamming generally involves broadcasting noise to overwhelm legitimate signals, while spoofing sends false signals to mislead receivers – potentially directing aircraft or vessels off course.

Both kinds of interference can jeopardise safety and disrupt essential services. The ITU Radiocommunication Bureau manages international frequency usage through the Radio Regulations, an international treaty governing shared spectrum access. The joint statement underscores the need for collaboration across borders and sectors to address vulnerabilities and ensure the reliability of navigation services.