Ligado Networks

Ligado Networks is an American company that provides satellite communications. It used to be called LightSquared. After some changes and coming out of financial trouble, the company started again under the new name, Ligado Networks, in 2016.

The company runs a special satellite called SkyTerra 1, which helps connect people and devices over long distances. This kind of technology is important because it can help people stay in touch even when they are far away or in places without regular internet or phone services.

Operations

Ligado Networks is based in Reston, Virginia. The company has a board of directors to help guide its work.

The company has special rights to use radio frequencies to build networks that can help with new technology like 5G and connecting many devices together, known as the Internet of Things.

Network and spectrum

The company, originally called LightSquared, made an agreement in 2007 with Inmarsat, a British satellite company, to use a larger area of radio frequencies. At that time, there were worries that this might cause problems.

In 2010, the company bought rights to use more frequencies and planned to build a wireless network across North America, but those plans did not happen.

In April 2020, Ligado Networks got approval to use frequencies close to those used by GPS for their 5G networks. Many groups, including the Department of Defense, Iridium Communications, and Federal Aviation Administration, said this could cause problems. Some important people also spoke out against the decision.

In October 2023, Ligado announced plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy again. On October 16, 2023, Ligado sued the U.S. government, claiming the Department of Defense was using its frequencies without permission. Ligado Networks officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 5, 2025.

History

Ligado Networks began in 1988 as American Mobile Satellite Corporation, later called Motient Corporation. After merging with TMI Communications, it became Mobile Satellite Ventures. The company operated two satellites covering North America: MSAT-2, launched in 1995 in the United States, and MSAT-1, launched in 1996 in Canada.

In 2008, Mobile Satellite Ventures changed its name to SkyTerra Communications. In 2010, Philip Falcone’s Harbinger Capital Partners bought SkyTerra and renamed it LightSquared. LightSquared planned to build a fast wireless network using special radio frequencies called the L-Band. The company launched the SkyTerra 1 satellite from Kazakhstan on November 14, 2010. This satellite had the largest reflector antenna ever used for commercial purposes and took over most data tasks from the older MSAT satellites.

In 2011, LightSquared wanted to use its frequencies for ground-based internet services, but this could interfere with GPS systems. Tests showed that LightSquared’s signals might overpower GPS signals from space. Because of these concerns, the company faced many problems and filed for bankruptcy in 2012. In 2015, it emerged from bankruptcy under new owners and changed its name to Ligado Networks in February 2016. The company also made agreements with GPS companies to make sure their services could work together without problems.