Ligado Networks

Ligado Networks
Private
Industry Satellite communications
Founded December 7, 2015[1][2]
Headquarters Reston, Virginia, United States
Area served
 North America
Key people
 President and Chief Executive Officer Douglas Smith
Products Satellite communications
Owner

(controlling owners)

Website www.ligado.com

Ligado Networks is an American satellite communications company developing a satellite-terrestrial network to support 5G and Internet of Things applications in North America. The Reston, Virginia-based company has 40 MHz of spectrum licenses in the nationwide block of 1500 MHz to 1700 MHz spectrum in the L-Band. It operates the SkyTerra 1 satellite.

The company was formerly known as LightSquared, which sought to develop a wholesale 4G LTE wireless broadband communications network integrated with satellite coverage across the United States. Concerns over interference ultimately prevented LightSquared from deploying its planned network. After restructuring, emerging from bankruptcy and modifying its network plan, the new company, Ligado Networks, launched in 2016.

Operations

Ligado Networks is based out of Reston, Virginia.[3] The company is governed by a seven-member board of directors[4] that includes Chairman Ivan Seidenberg, a former chairman of Verizon Communications; Timothy Donahue, former executive chairman of Sprint Nextel and former president and CEO of Nextel Communications; and former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Reed Hundt.[5] Doug Smith is president and CEO.[5] Fortress Investment Group, LLC, Centerbridge Partners LP and JPMorgan Chase & Co. own controlling stakes in Ligado Networks; Harbinger Capital Partners maintains a minority stake.[6][7]

Ligado Networks has 40 MHz of spectrum licenses in the nationwide block of 1500 MHz to 1700 MHz spectrum in the L-Band.[8][9] With it, the company is developing a satellite-terrestrial network to support the emerging 5G market and Internet of Things applications.[5][9]

Network and spectrum

As of 2016, Ligado Networks seeks FCC permission for terrestrial deployment of its mid-band spectrum in the 1500 MHz to 1700 MHz range.[8][10] The company plans to make its spectrum available to industry and government to serve emerging Internet of Things and 5G technologies.[8][9] The plans have received favorable reviews from organizations including the Competitive Carriers Association, CTIA — The Wireless Association, Public Knowledge and Open Technology Institute at New America, among others.[11][12]

In 2010, the company (as LightSquared) acquired licenses to mid-band spectrum when it bought SkyTerra Communications.[13] LightSquared's plans, which did not come to fruition, were to use the spectrum to create a 4G wireless mobile network covering North America.[14][15]

The spectrum was originally intended for satellite use only but in 2004 the FCC allowed the spectrum to be augmented with cell towers.[13] This opened the door for potential use on mobile devices.[13] As LightSquared, the company reached a cooperation agreement in 2007 with Inmarsat, a British satellite telecommunications company, that rearranged the L-Band spectrum so the company could use a larger, contiguous stretch of spectrum.[16] Potential interference issues at the time prevented LightSquared from deploying the network.[17]

History

Ligado Networks traces its roots back to 1988 with the company American Mobile Satellite Corporation (which became Motient Corporation), and later as Mobile Satellite Ventures[18] after a merger between Motient Corporation and TMI Communications.[19] The company originally operated two geostationary satellites covering the North American market: MSAT-2,[20] licensed in the United States, launched in 1995; the next year, the company launched MSAT-1, which is licensed in Canada.[21]

Mobile Satellite Ventures changed its name to SkyTerra Communications in 2008.[22] LightSquared emerged from SkyTerra after Philip Falcone's Harbinger Capital Partners acquired SkyTerra in March 2010.[13] The company received about $2.9 billion in assets from Harbinger and affiliates, as well as more than $2.3 billion in debt and equity financing.[23][24] LightSquared sought to develop a 4G LTE wireless broadband network[14] using spectrum in the L-Band.[9] The company's proposed nationwide network would then sell its services wholesale to other service providers, not to retail customers.[25]

The company launched its SkyTerra 1 satellite from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on November 14, 2010.[26] At its launch, the satellite contained the largest commercial reflector antenna put into service.[26] SkyTerra 1 replaced MSAT-1 and MSAT-2 as most of the data from the company's MSAT satellites relocated to SkyTerra 1.[27]

The spectrum the company controls was originally set aside for satellite communications only.[13] That changed in 2004 when the FCC granted approval for the company to augment its satellite network with cellphone towers on land.[13] In January 2011, the FCC approved a conditional waiver to allow the company, then called LightSquared, to use its spectrum for land-based-only LTE communications if the company resolved GPS interference.[25] The GPS industry, aviators and military claimed the company's use of its spectrum would interfere with their communications.[28] In February 2012, the FCC proposed to suspend indefinitely the ATC authorization due to the interference issues with satellite services.[17][29] Three months later, LightSquared filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy.[17]

On December 7, 2015, the company emerged from bankruptcy as a new company[1][2] under the control of Centerbridge Partners, Fortress Investment Group and JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Harbinger retained minority ownership.[7] Also in December 2015, the company reached settlements with GPS companies Garmin Ltd., Deere & Co. and Trimble Navigation Ltd. to establish how the company and GPS companies can coexist.[30][31]

The company announced its new name, Ligado Networks, on February 10, 2016, derived from the Spanish and Portuguese words for "connected".[6] Ligado Networks focuses on using its spectrum to serve the Internet of Things and emerging 5G technologies.[9]

LightSquared proposals

On March 1, 2001, Ligado Networks' predecessor, Mobile Satellite Ventures applied to the FCC to use a "combination of spot-beam satellites and terrestrial base stations."[32]

On January 26, 2011, The Federal Communications Commission granted a conditional waiver that allowed LightSquared and its wholesale customers to offer terrestrial-only devices rather than having to incorporate both satellite and terrestrial services.[33][34] The waiver was conditioned on resolving concerns about interference to GPS.[35][36]

Companies that provide global positioning systems, in addition to the United States Air Force, the operator of the GPS system, opposed the FCC waiver, saying that more time was needed to resolve concerns that LightSquared's service might interfere with their satellite-based offerings. LightSquared promised to work with GPS providers and give the FCC monthly updates on a resolution to interference concerns.[37]

In October 2011, LightSquared threatened to sue the FCC if its network is not approved.[38]

On February 14, 2012, the FCC initiated proceedings to vacate LightSquared's Conditional Waiver Order based on the NTIA's conclusion that there was currently no practical way to mitigate potential GPS interference.[35]

Interference issues

LightSquared's plan for standalone-terrestrial broadband services met resistance over potential interference issues with GPS systems. In a January 12, 2011, letter to the FCC, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) chief Lawrence Strickling said that LightSquared's hybrid mobile broadband services raise "significant interference concerns" and that several federal agencies wanted the FCC to defer action on LightSquared until the concerns were addressed.[39]

On January 20, 2011, GPS industry representatives sent a letter to the FCC, sharing a study by Garmin International that said "widespread, severe GPS jamming will occur" if LightSquared's plans were approved.[40] The study used two GPS models and simulated LightSquared transmitters.[40]

Testing showed that LightSquared's proposed ground-based transmissions could "overpower" the fainter GPS signals from space-based satellites. With the band close to those GPS signals, "GPS devices could pick up the stronger LightSquared signals and become overloaded or saturated".[41]

On February 17, 2011, former Deputy Secretary of Defense Bill Lynn, along with the head of the USAF Space Command, Gen. William L. Shelton, expressed concerns about potential GPS interference from the LightSquared network.[42]

On April 5, 2011, with respect to concerns raised by the U.S. GPS Industry Council and NTIA about LightSquared’s proposed operations, the FCC stated that LightSquared could not commence offering a commercial terrestrial service until the agency concluded that the harmful interference concerns had been resolved.[43]

Challenges in Congress

On September 15, 2011, Representative Michael Turner (R-Ohio) called for the United States House Oversight and Government Committee to investigate LightSquared under the premise that the Federal Communications Commission waived a rule for LightSquared because of campaign contributions to Democrats.[44][45] LightSquared officials, who had contributed to both Republicans and Democrats, denied the allegations.[44][45]

Among the issues raised was whether political contributors and investors received favorable treatment by President Barack Obama's administration. Before he became president, Senator Obama had invested between $50,000 and $90,000 in SkyTerra, which later became LightSquared.[46][47] An Air Force General claimed in a closed congressional hearing that he had received political pressure to soften his testimony regarding the negative effects of LightSquared technology.[48][49] However, the General's spokesperson denied there was any improper influence and said that the general's testimony was reviewed appropriately by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and other executive agencies via the established Office of Management and Budget process.[50]

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a ranking minority member on the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, had also asked Falcone and LightSquared's CEO to disclose their contacts with the FCC, the White House and other government agencies.[51]

References

  1. 1 2 Rucinski, Tracy (8 December 2015). "LightSquared strikes spectrum deal and exits bankruptcy". Reuters. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  2. 1 2 Majithia, Kavit (7 December 2015). "LightSquared back from the brink, under former Verizon chief". Mobile World Live. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  3. ↑ Shields, Todd (22 April 2016). "Airways plan by Ligado, the former LightSquared, advances at FCC". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  4. ↑ "Board of Directors". Ligado Networks. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 Meyer, Dan (24 May 2016). "Ligado files 5G plans with FCC, promises fair play with GPS". RCR Wireless News. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  6. 1 2 Fitzgerald, Drew (10 February 2016). "After bankruptcy, LightSquared changes name to Ligado Networks". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  7. 1 2 Brown, Nick (26 March 2015). "LightSquared bankruptcy exit plan earns court approval". Reuters. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 Goovaerts, Diana (24 May 2016). "Ligado unveils mid-band 5G network plan to FCC". Wireless Week. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Gibbs, Colin (9 February 2016). "LightSquared rebrands as Ligado Networks but spectrum plans remain cloudy". FierceWireless. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  10. ↑ Dee Ann Divis (1 May 2016). "FCC Opens GPS-Adjacent Ligado Proposal for Comment". Inside GNSS. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  11. ↑ "Ligado's proposed LTE plans sees calls for more changes". Communications Daily. 25 May 2016.
  12. ↑ Macri, Giuseppe (21 August 2016). "Net neutrality rivals join forces to push FCC on 5G spectrum sharing". Inside Sources. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Effinger, Anthony; Burton, Katherine (23 October 2010). "A Harbinger of wireless risks to come". The Washington Post. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  14. 1 2 Reardon, Marguerite (3 May 2013). "Finally, some good news for LightSquared and its 4G hopes". CNET. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  15. ↑ Dillow, Clay (15 November 2010). "The largest commercial antenna ever put into space will beam 4G where towers won't". Popular science. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  16. ↑ Caroline Gabriel (19 August 2010). "LightSquared boosts capacity with Inmarsat spectrum deal". Rethink Wireless. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 Spector, Mike; Bensinger, Greg (14 May 2012). "LightSquared pulls the plug". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  18. ↑ Jerome, Sara; Smith, Smith (13 October 2011). "Slicing up the spectrum: LightSquared's cautionary tale". National Review. Retrieved 12 September 2016. Harbinger Capital Partners, a New York-based hedge fund, formed LightSquared in July 2010 out of the remains of a company that began in 1988 as American Mobile Satellite and later did business as Mobile Satellite Ventures and SkyTerra.
  19. ↑ "Motient and TMI Communications complete consolidation and of mobile satellite businesses". Wireless Satellite and Broadcasting Newsletter. 1 December 2001. Retrieved 12 September 2016. Motient and TMI Communications have announced that their new jointventure, Mobile Satellite Ventures LP (MSV) has been granted the necessary regulatory approvals from both the FCC and its Canadian counterpart, Industry Canada. These regulatory approvals have allowed MSV to complete the previously announced combination of Motient's satellite operations with those of TMI Communications, and to become a standalone operating entity.
  20. ↑ LaPrade, Nicholas (December 1995). "Communications". Aerospace America. Retrieved 12 September 2016. Its successful launch in April of American Mobile Satellite's MSAT-2 geostationary spacecraft pioneered a new large-antenna reflector technology (two graphite ovals 16 x 22 ft), which enables their mobile satellites to form many isolated spot beams, permitting the limited frequency spectrum to be reused between beams.
  21. ↑ "Canadian satellite connects remote areas to cities". The Hamilton Spectator. 22 April 1996. Retrieved 12 September 2016. The MSAT-1 was launched Saturday in the South American country French Guiana. … until now, a U.S. satellite was carrying the companies' signals.
  22. ↑ "Mobile Satellite Ventures Subsidiary LLC Notification of Name Change" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. 9 December 2008. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  23. ↑ Carew, Sinead (5 July 2011). "Update 2-Falcone's LightSquared raises $265 mln in funding". Reuters. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  24. ↑ Shields, Todd; Kary, Tiffany (19 June 2014). "Falcone leaves LightSquared board amin bankruptcy talks". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  25. 1 2 Reardon, Marguerite (21 April 2011). "LightSquare: The answer to U.S. wireless competition?". CNET. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  26. 1 2 Amos, Jonathan (15 November 2010). "Huge antenna launched into space". BBC News. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  27. ↑ "Satellites". Communications Daily. 16 November 2010.
  28. ↑ Schatz, Amy (10 June 2011). "More tests show GPS interference from LightSquared's network". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  29. ↑ "Public Notice: International Bureau invites comment on NTIA letter regarding LightSquared conditional waiver" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  30. ↑ Fitzgerald, Patrick (17 December 2015). "New LightSquared settles GPS lawsuit with Garmin". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  31. ↑ Fitzgerald, Patrick (15 December 2015). "LightSquared settles GPS lawsuit with Trimble Navigation". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  32. ↑ "FCC Docket File Number: SATASG2001030200017, "Mobile Satellite Ventures LLC Application for Assignment and Modification of Licenses and for Authority to Launch and Operate a Next-Generation Mobile Satellite System"". FCC.gov. March 1, 2001. p. 9.
  33. ↑ "FCC's Genachowski: We won't let LightSquared operate without GPS interference resolution". FierceBroadbandWireless. June 6, 2011.
  34. ↑ "FCC Order, Granted LightSquared Subsidiary LLC, a Mobile Satellite Service licensee in the L-Band, a conditional waiver of the Ancillary Terrestrial Component "integrated service" rule" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. FCC.Gov. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  35. 1 2 FCC press release "" Spokesperson Statement on NTIA Letter--LightSquared and GPS " February 14, 2012
  36. ↑ "LightSquared Interference Issues". Communications Daily. 9 February 2011.
  37. ↑ Cecilia Kang (26 January 2011). "FCC grants LightSquared approval to use satellite airwaves for cell phones". Washington Post. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  38. ↑ "LightSquared Threatens Legal Action against FCC". 6 October 2011.
  39. ↑ "NTIA letter to FCC". Federal Communications Commission. January 12, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
  40. 1 2 "Notice of Ex Parte presentation in LightSquared Subsidiary LLC application for modification of authority for ancillary terrestrial component, File No. SAT-MOD-20101118-00239". GPS World. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  41. ↑ "LightSquared and GPS". GPS.gov. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  42. ↑ "New Wireless Tech Jams GPS". DoD Buzz. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  43. ↑ "FCC Order, Fixed and Mobile Services in the Mobile Satellite Service Bands at 1525-1559 MHz and 1626.5-1660.5 MHz, 1610-1626.5 MHz and 2483.5-2500 MHz, and 2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz". FCC.Gov. April 5, 2011. p. 13.
  44. 1 2 Werner, Debra (23 September 2011). "U.S. Republican lawmakers call for investigation of LightSquared case". Spacenews. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  45. 1 2 Krigman, Eliza. "LightSquared execs fire back". Politico. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  46. ↑ Mike McIntyre and Christopher Drew (7 March 2007). "In ’05 Investing, Obama Took Same Path as Donors". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  47. ↑ Jeff Zeleny and Christopher Drew (8 March 2007). "Obama Says His Investments Presented No Conflicts of Interest". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  48. ↑ Toby Harnden (16 September 2011). "Obama administration 'pressured Air Force general to change testimony'". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  49. ↑ Timothy P. Carney (21 September 2011). "Soros turns up in Obama's LightSquared imbroglio". washingtonexaminer.com. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  50. ↑ Cecilia Kang (15 September 2011). "GOP lawmakers scrutinize LightSquared". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  51. ↑ Eric Engleman (6 October 2011). "Grassley Asks Falcone for Records of FCC, White House Contacts". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 7 October 2011.

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