Nationwide LTE Broadband Network
LightSquared will offer reliable and comprehensive nationwide 4G-LTE wireless broadband coverage. Currently networks in the U.S. are struggling with a lack of capacity and the ability to quickly and reliably supply voice and data services to their customers. LightSquared is addressing this problem by building a best-in-class network with ubiquitous satellite coverage.
Network Roll-Out
LightSquared is currently conducting technical testing which will run through 2011. Once this phase is complete, customers are expected to launch services in 2012.
Network Deployment Partner = Sprint Nextel
On July 28, LightSquared and Sprint Nextel entered into a 15-year agreement that includes spectrum hosting and network services, 4G wholesale and 3G roaming. Under the agreement, Sprint Nextel will deploy and operate a nationwide LTE network that hosts L-Band spectrum licensed to LightSquared. Through a 3G nationwide roaming agreement with Sprint Nextel, LightSquared’s wholesale customers will be able to offer combined 4G/3G data services as soon as LightSquared launches its first 4G markets in 2012.
The agreement, the first of its kind for the U.S. wireless industry, is expected to lower network capital and operating expenses for LightSquared by more than $13 billion over the next eight years in comparison with the cost of a stand-alone network build. LightSquared also expects the deployment of its nationwide 4G-LTE network to be completed more than one year ahead of the FCC’s mandate to cover 260 million Americans by 2015.
Preferred LTE Technology
LightSquared is building a 4G-LTE open wireless broadband network that will enable a true broadband experience. LTE, a 3GPP technology standard, is the basis of the 4G network deployments of nearly every major carrier globally.
The LTE standard provides an ecosystem advantage and a superior user experience. From a technology perspective, LTE has a maximum data rate—over 100 MB/second—which enables LightSquared to offer more immediate communication with minimal delay and faster upload and download speeds.
Terrestrial + Satellite = Constant Connectivity
LightSquared is using terrestrial and satellite technology to ensure constant connectivity, regardless of location. LightSquared’s next-generation satellite, built by Boeing, was launched into geostationary orbit over North America in November 2010. Among the largest and most powerful commercial satellites ever launched, this space-based network will provide ubiquitous coverage to users when they are out of cellular range.
