Ligado Networks

Ligado Networks is a provider of mobile satellite communications services intended to create a commercial and technological infrastructure that can increase the security and geographical coverage of the communication infrastructure. The company's communications services use a hybrid wireless network that utilizes powerful satellites working in unison with its patented ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) technology and land-based towers to provide 5G and IoT services.

Ligado Networks was founded in December 2015, after the restructuring of LightSquared, which had fallen into bankruptcy. The restructuring and renaming also brought a renewed interest in building a wireless and cellular network through a combination of ground-based systems and satellite systems. Ligado's network operates on the L-band spectrum, a 1.6 GHz band, near the spectrum bands used by GPS networks. And, despite some pushback from the United States Department of Defense over the use of the L-band spectrum, Ligado has received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate on the L-band spectrum for the support of 5G and internet of things (IoT) services.

Ligado Networks offers a 5G Mobile Private Network solution that offers network tools for companies to support enterprise digital transformation. This includes customizing connectivity solutions to meet specific requirements and adaptable and scalable capabilities for network control and configuration. This includes licensed mid-band spectrum for private network use in the United States; control over the design, deployment, and operation of a local wireless network; the necessary technological capabilities for increased network virtualization; and enterprise network privacy, control, visibility, and security.

Ligado's use of the L-band spectrum is the basis of the company's idea towards the development of 5G networks. This includes standardizing the spectrum bands through 3GPP and working with device-makers, chipset vendors, and base station vendors to ensure compatibility with the L-band. The company aims the public 5G towards a mix between lower mid-band spectrum with higher mid-band spectrum deployments in order to achieve better overall coverage and in-building signal penetration with an extended range of the network.

Ligado Networks offers what the company calls a Standards-Based Satellite IoT. The "standards-based" is a technology intended to allow mobile satellite and terrestrial networks to work without interruption, so users do not experience interruption. The IoT technology offered by Ligado uses the Ligado SkyTerra 1 satellite to provide connectivity to small, low-power devices also served by terrestrial mobile networks. This satellite network is intended to provide ubiquitous connectivity through North America in order to maintain service continuity, seamless operation, and an additional layer of network reliability, as well as further reach than terrestrial networks with fewer infrastructure needs.

Ligado Networks also offers MSAT Satellite Services for use where land-based communications do not exist or when they are otherwise compromised. This can include use for search and rescue teams, police and firefighters, maritime and fishing fleets, work crews, railroads, trucking, and drivers for utilities. In all of these cases, Ligado offers organizations the company's MSAT-G2 Mobile Satellite Radio, MSAT Push-To-Talk (PTT), and MSAT Telephony Voice. Each system offers direct communications via satellite with flexible coverage options. As well, Ligado offers MSAT Tracking, which does not allow for communication, but can allow for land and maritime locations of MSAT-G2 radio users.