Ligado CEO Doug Smith spoke at the Bipartisan Policy Center about the potential for Custom Private Networks to unlock the power of 5G and critical IoT connectivity for core infrastructure industries like utilities, transportation and manufacturing.

In a time of crisis like the one Puerto Rico faces today, it’s important to do the right thing. For Ligado Networks, that means providing reliable satellite connectivity to first responders and relief efforts when they need it. As someone with family and friends on the island, assisting in relief efforts is personal to me. For the last several weeks, our company has been doing everything we can to help. It’s been a team effort, and I’m proud of what we’ve done.

Ligado recently used its cutting-edge advanced network technology to operate a commercial drone in beyond visual line-of-sight conditions to inspect remote utility lines. Ligado is planning to deploy an advanced network that will offer unprecedented performance for the emerging 5G and Internet of Things markets, and commercial unmanned systems are well-positioned to use this network to serve core industries.

Ligado and other companies are prepared to put idle spectrum to work to develop and deploy new technologies to add billions of dollars to the U.S. economy, to create hundreds of thousands of skilled and unskilled jobs, and to invest in America’s digital infrastructure. These investments will not only benefit our communities, make our economy more competitive, create new opportunities for our workers, and allow the U.S. to maintain its leadership position, but it will signify a return to the American tradition of striving to meet and exceed modern demands.

Metro Aviation, a major operator of air ambulance services throughout the country, filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today in support of Ligado’s proposal to build an Advanced Satellite Terrestrial Network. Metro, an aviation industry leader, is an important user of our network, and this filing provides further evidence that Ligado can operate our planned network safely for helicopters and other aircraft.

By Tamara Casey and Valerie Green The past year has been remarkable for Ligado in many ways as we focus on ambitious new initiatives...