First 5G satellite network for IoT launching

As part of the deployment, Ligado will partner with US network software provider Mavenir to develop advanced connectivity base stations which will “enable business-critical operations anywhere in North America”.

The duo’s new 5G satellite IoT network will reportedly support “tens of millions of mobile devices powering critical machine-to-machine communications for businesses” following an initial trial in 2022. The trial will focus on companies in the transport, agriculture, utilities and energy sectors using standalone satellite or multi-layer connections to build up the network.

Ligado plans to adapt its 3rd Generation Partnership Project technology for mobile satellite use in a move that will enable the new network to support devices using mainstream chipsets that can also operate on terrestrial IoT networks.

Combined with the 22-meter reflector-based antenna of Ligado’s SkyTerra 1 satellite, the network will also support small IoT device applications including vehicle diagnostics, environmental monitoring and smart metering. According to Ligado it will also add extended coverage to the company’s planned 5G mobile private network.