One of the many issues NAAA has been advocating on behalf of the aerial application industry is to prevent Ligado Networks’ attempt to operate a ground-based 5G network in the L-band radio spectrum, the band adjacent to the one used for GPS. Ligado’s proposed network would interfere with GPS and other satellite-based technology. Since 2020 NAAA has been part of a large coalition of aviation and other industries that rely on GPS and are fighting to overturn the FCC’s approval of Ligado’s application to operate in this spectrum.

 

Since the FCC’s approval, things have not gone well for Ligado thanks to NAAA and the coalition’s efforts. The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act mandated several provisions meant to prevent from Ligado from moving forward, including requiring the Department of Defense (DoD) to submit an estimate to Congress of the full range of damages caused by Ligado’s planned network and prohibiting DoD from contracting with any entity that engages in terrestrial service in the L-band. Earlier this year, Canada rejected Ligado Network’s petition to operate in the L-band.

 

Despite having FCC’s permission, these and other hurdles have prevented Ligado from deploying their network. Ligado will have to make a $4 billion debt payment on November 1, 2023. As a result of years of failing to launch their network, Ligado recently decided to sue the U.S. government, claiming the DoD and Commerce Department orchestrated a public disinformation campaign that prevented Ligado from commercializing their proposed network and thus blocked their business plans. 

 

Because they will likely be unable to pay off or refinance the $4 billion coming due, Ligado is rumored to be preparing to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy within a few weeks. Reports from last week suggest Ligado may be trying to work with its creditors to finance its lawsuit against the federal government. Ligado may also be trying to reorganize their business around their mobile satellite technology, which is completely separate from their L-band radio spectrum plans.

 

If this all sounds familiar, it’s because it’s happened before. Ligado was formerly called LightSquared, who filed for bankruptcy in 2012 after the government denied them permission to operate a similar network. They emerged from bankruptcy in 2015 with new ownership and a new name but with the same disruptive plan to GPS. NAAA will continue to monitor and influence this issue.