Ligado Networks and Mavenir Move Ahead on Next-Gen Wireless Buildout

As mentioned in a blog post from July of this year, Ligado Networks has been developing its mixed mobile-satellite wireless network, which will operate using its licensed L-Band spectrum. Once deployed, Ligado's network will offer 5G private network and IoT capabilities that will create jobs and boost the U.S. economy. To this end, Ligado has reached agreements with equipment manufacturers, and its latest announced partnership is with the OpenRAN vendor Mavenir. See Free State Foundation President Randolph May's tweet on this announcement, with a link to the press release: 

The announcement that @LigadoNetworks is partnering w/ @Mavenir to advance the connectivity of its #5G mobile satellite network is imp't, esp. now. The combo will support millions of mobile devices used in critical #infrastructure industries. See: https://t.co/4pwfsAUk6G

— Free State Foundation (@FSFthinktank) August 18, 2021

MEDIA ADVISORY: The FCC Should Be Commended for Holding ORAN Forum

Regarding the FCC's forum today regarding ORAN (open radio access networks), the following statement may be attributed to Free State Foundation President Randolph May: 

The FCC should be commended for holding the forum today exploring ORAN, what it means, and what it may portend for the future. Even discounting the usual hype accompanying new technological advances and business models, ORAN, properly understood, holds the promise to promote increased marketplace competition and innovation, and, at the same time, promote U.S. national security by increasing supply chain diversity. ORAN could be a case in which technological advances associated with 5G, artificial intelligence, and virtualization, and changing business models, advance freedom in both the economic and geopolitical spheres. But this should be done largely in a context of private sector decision-making with minimal direct government intervention and mandates.