Ligado Networks has formally submitted a robust defense to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding its proposed license modification, which seeks to host a next-generation L-band payload on AST SpaceMobile’s Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. In its latest filing, Ligado asserted that the proposal—internally dubbed "SkyTerra Next"—fully complies with existing L-band coordination agreements and established FCC regulatory frameworks. The company maintains that the move is a critical step toward maximizing the efficiency of its spectrum holdings and expanding the reach of space-based 5G connectivity across the United States.
The controversy centers on a December application in which Ligado requested permission to deploy the SkyTerra Next payload on AST SpaceMobile’s upcoming satellites. This partnership aims to provide Direct-to-Device (D2D) Mobile Satellite Service (MSS), specifically targeting government agencies, enterprise users, and consumers in rural or underserved regions where terrestrial mobile broadband remains unavailable. However, the proposal has ignited a fierce debate within the aerospace and telecommunications sectors, drawing formal opposition from established satellite operators and stakeholders in the Global Positioning System (GPS) ecosystem.
The Strategic Partnership and Technical Objectives
Ligado’s application to the FCC represents a strategic shift in the company’s long-term operational roadmap. By integrating its L-band capabilities with AST SpaceMobile’s LEO architecture, Ligado intends to augment its existing SkyTerra-1 satellite operations. SkyTerra-1, which operates in Geostationary Orbit (GEO), has been the cornerstone of Ligado’s satellite service for years. Moving to a LEO-based payload offers significant technical advantages, including lower latency and higher signal strength, which are essential for seamless D2D connectivity on standard smartphones.
The SkyTerra Next payload is designed to operate within Ligado’s licensed L-band spectrum. According to the company, this technological upgrade would facilitate more "intensive and efficient" use of its spectrum assets. The collaboration with AST SpaceMobile is particularly noteworthy because AST is currently developing a "space-based cellular broadband network" designed to connect directly to standard mobile devices without requiring specialized hardware. By hosting Ligado’s L-band payload, AST SpaceMobile gains access to critical spectrum rights in the United States and Canada, while Ligado secures a modern orbital platform for its services.
Industry Pushback: Iridium and the "Spectrum Hoarding" Allegation
The most vocal opponent to Ligado’s plan has been Iridium Communications. Earlier this month, Iridium filed a formal petition with the FCC urging the commission to deny Ligado’s request. Iridium’s arguments are two-pronged: legal and competitive. First, Iridium accused Ligado of "spectrum hoarding," suggesting that Ligado has failed to adequately utilize its licensed spectrum for years and is now attempting to maintain its hold on the bands through a complex partnership that Iridium claims lacks transparency.
Second, Iridium argued that the agreement between Ligado and AST SpaceMobile effectively constitutes a "de facto" transfer of control of Ligado’s license. Iridium contends that because AST SpaceMobile would be the primary user and beneficiary of the L-band payload, the regulatory responsibility and operational control would shift away from the licensee (Ligado) in a manner that violates FCC rules regarding license transfers.
In its rebuttal, Ligado dismissed these claims as "baseless" and "irrelevant." The company told the FCC that Iridium’s petition is an attempt to protect its own market position by stifling competition. Ligado clarified that while AST SpaceMobile will indeed be its largest customer for the SkyTerra Next payload, Ligado will retain full legal and operational control over its licensed spectrum and the associated satellite assets. "Iridium Communications throws up baseless arguments, some of which are simply irrelevant or perpetuate a naked claim to Ligado’s coordinated spectrum," Ligado stated in its filing.
The Persistent Shadow of GPS Interference
Beyond the competitive disputes with Iridium, Ligado continues to face scrutiny from the GPS and precision agriculture sectors. The GPS Innovation Alliance (GPSIA) filed comments expressing concerns that Ligado’s LEO-based L-band operations could cause harmful interference to GPS and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers. Because L-band spectrum is adjacent to the frequencies used by GPS, the potential for "out-of-band" emissions has been a point of contention for over a decade.
John Deere, a leader in precision agriculture, also joined the fray. The company operates high-precision GPS augmentation systems that are vital for modern farming operations, such as autonomous tractors and automated planting. John Deere’s filing highlighted concerns that any interference from Ligado’s new LEO payload could disrupt the high-sensitivity receivers used in the field, leading to operational downtime or safety risks in agricultural environments.
Ligado’s response to these concerns emphasized that SkyTerra Next is being designed with stringent technical safeguards. The company argued that its proposal includes specific mitigations to protect adjacent-band services, including GPS. Furthermore, Ligado noted that the shift to LEO does not inherently increase the risk of interference compared to its already-authorized GEO operations, provided that power levels and emission masks remain within regulated limits.
Chronology of Ligado’s Regulatory and Financial Evolution
To understand the weight of the current FCC filing, one must look at the turbulent history of Ligado Networks, formerly known as LightSquared.
- 2010–2012: LightSquared, backed by Harbinger Capital, proposed a nationwide 4G LTE network using L-band spectrum. The plan was halted after the FCC and the Department of Defense (DoD) raised alarms about catastrophic interference with GPS. The company eventually filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
- 2015–2016: The company emerged from bankruptcy rebranded as Ligado Networks, with a renewed focus on 5G and IoT connectivity.
- April 2020: In a landmark and controversial decision, the FCC, under Chairman Ajit Pai, unanimously approved Ligado’s application to deploy a low-power terrestrial nationwide network. This was met with intense opposition from the DoD, the Department of Transportation, and major airlines.
- 2021–2023: Ligado faced ongoing litigation and legislative challenges. Meanwhile, the company struggled with its debt load, leading to a second Chapter 11 filing in late 2023.
- January 2024: As part of its restructuring, Ligado announced a definitive agreement with AST SpaceMobile. This deal provided AST SpaceMobile with rights to use Ligado’s L-band spectrum in exchange for a series of payments and the hosting of the SkyTerra Next payload.
- December 2024: Ligado filed the current modification request to the FCC to formalize the deployment of the SkyTerra Next payload on AST SpaceMobile’s LEO constellation.
Supporting Voices: Viasat and the MSSA
Despite the opposition, Ligado is not without allies. In a significant development, Viasat and the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) have voiced their support for the application. The MSSA is an industry group dedicated to fostering an open ecosystem for D2D and IoT services using satellite spectrum.
Viasat’s support is particularly noteworthy given its status as a major player in the global satellite market. Industry analysts suggest that Viasat’s backing stems from a desire to see the L-band ecosystem flourish, as standardized L-band D2D services could create a larger market for all MSS operators. By supporting Ligado’s move to LEO, these organizations are signaling that the future of satellite-to-phone connectivity depends on the flexible use of existing spectrum bands.
AST SpaceMobile also filed its own statement in support, urging the FCC to grant the modification swiftly. AST argued that the partnership is essential for the rapid deployment of its "SpaceMobile" service, which aims to eliminate cellular dead zones across North America.
Broader Implications for the D2D Market
The outcome of Ligado’s filing will have significant implications for the emerging Direct-to-Device market. Currently, the industry is in a "space race" to provide ubiquitous connectivity to standard smartphones. Key competitors include:
- SpaceX and T-Mobile: Utilizing T-Mobile’s terrestrial PCS spectrum for satellite-to-cell service via Starlink satellites.
- Apple and Globalstar: Providing emergency SOS and messaging services via the iPhone 14 and 15 series.
- Lynk Global: Operating a commercial "cell tower in space" service using terrestrial cellular spectrum.
Ligado’s approach is unique because it utilizes dedicated L-band MSS spectrum, which was originally intended for satellite use. This avoids some of the regulatory hurdles associated with using terrestrial spectrum from space (the "Aggregate Interference" issue), but it introduces the aforementioned challenges regarding GPS interference.
If the FCC grants Ligado’s request, it would validate the LEO-hosting model as a viable path for spectrum holders to modernize their assets without the multibillion-dollar cost of launching their own dedicated constellations. It would also solidify AST SpaceMobile’s position as a primary infrastructure provider for other spectrum owners.
Conclusion and Regulatory Outlook
Ligado Networks finds itself at a familiar crossroads, defending its technical and legal right to operate in the L-band. By framing the SkyTerra Next payload as a "technological upgrade" that enhances competition and innovation in the 5G sector, Ligado is appealing to the FCC’s mandate to promote efficient spectrum use and close the digital divide.
The company concluded its filing by stating that the modification is "straightforward" and should be granted without delay. However, given the high-profile nature of the opposition from Iridium and the GPS community, the FCC is expected to conduct a thorough technical review. The decision will likely hinge on whether Ligado can prove that the move to a LEO orbit—and the specific partnership structure with AST SpaceMobile—does not fundamentally alter the nature of its license or jeopardize the integrity of the GPS signals that modern society depends upon.
As the FCC deliberates, the satellite industry remains watchful. The ruling will not only determine the future of Ligado’s restructuring efforts but will also set a precedent for how spectrum-rich, asset-poor companies can leverage the burgeoning LEO economy to remain relevant in the 5G era.