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Omnispace and Ligado
Networks Join Forces to Create Largest Portfolio of
Licensed, Satellite Spectrum for Global
Direct-to-Device Voice, Text and Data Connectivity
Feb. 23, 2023
Omnispace and Ligado
Networks announced a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) to combine their respective licensed mobile
satellite services (MSS) spectrum to enable the
world's most capable space-based, direct-to-device
(D2D) solutions for global voice, text and data
connectivity. Utilizing large blocks of satellite
spectrum in the L- and S-Bands, this agreement sets
the stage for the development of multi-band,
multi-orbit satellite offerings to enable ubiquitous
mobile connectivity for more than 5 billion mobile
subscribers in areas where terrestrial cellular
coverage does not exist today.
Omnispace and Ligado Networks
Join Forces to Create Largest Portfolio of Licensed,
Satellite Spectrum for Global Direct-to-Device
Voice, Text and Data Connectivity
Omnispace and Ligado Networks
Join Forces to Create Largest Portfolio of Licensed,
Satellite Spectrum for Global Direct-to-Device
Voice, Text and Data Connectivity
The companies' collaboration
would use portions of Ligado's 40 MHz of L-band
satellite spectrum in the U.S. and Canada and
Omnispace's 60 MHz of S-band satellite spectrum
(3GPP 5G bands n255 and n256). The combination would
bring together for the first time the largest block
of satellite spectrum dedicated to meeting a global
market need for text, voice and data capability. The
satellite spectrum assembled by the companies is
licensed, 3GPP-standardized for non-terrestrial
networks (NTN) and already in compliance with
existing international ITU and U.S. regulations.
Additionally, the collaboration anticipates
optimizing multi-orbit geostationary (GEO) and
non-geostationary (NGSO) networks to provide
seamless, global coverage for D2D use cases across
key markets, including consumer smartphone,
automotive and Internet of Things (IoT)
connectivity.
"In many ways, this spectrum
combination is the last missing piece to unlocking
the full promise and potential of direct-to-device
connectivity and creates the necessary foundation
for an exceptional voice, text and data experience,"
said Ram Viswanathan, President and CEO for
Omnispace. "Together with Ligado, we will bring the
spectrum and technology to deliver a game-changing
solution directly from space to a variety of devices
that could benefit billions of mobile subscribers
worldwide."
"We are pleased to partner with
Omnispace in this initiative that has the potential
to accelerate enhanced 5G non-terrestrial networks
globally with coverage and bandwidth to support
superior direct-to-device satellite connectivity,"
said Doug Smith, President and CEO for Ligado
Networks. "This an important step forward for
Ligado's satellite business. The addition of S-band
solutions to our growing L-band portfolio of
satellite services brings together an unrivaled
amount of licensed satellite spectrum across
multiple orbits. Together we are able to establish a
premier, one-stop shop global footprint for
ecosystem partners and global MNOs to offer premium
services for billions of mobile subscribers
worldwide."
The combination of L- and
S-band spectrum is a unique opportunity to expand
the ecosystem of D2D applications and technologies,
enhance user experience and extend service globally.
For consumer smartphones, the offering will have
enough bandwidth to go beyond emergency satellite
texting by offering ubiquitous roaming mobile
coverage with two-way voice, messaging and data
capabilities. Automotive partners can leverage the
service to provide customers a suite of safety,
telematics and intelligent connectivity solutions
that are always-on and resilient. The expansion of
the ecosystem, driven by this unique combination of
satellite spectrum bands, will enable greater
accessibility for mission-critical IoT connectivity
across industries such as agriculture, government,
energy production and distribution, as well as
supply chain management.
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