Ligado Networks said it plans to start creating 5G technology in the L-Band for mobile services in North America. Ecosystem partners Ericsson and Sequans were selected to work on the technical development efforts to create this new 5G technology for the satellite component of the Ligado network.

The announcement is an important milestone in a multi-year strategic plan to deploy a satellite and terrestrial mobile network that will use 40 MHz of mid-band spectrum to provide 5G products for critical industries and advance the next generation of American infrastructure.

By using existing LTE-M and NB-IoT technologies, the satellite adaptation of this 3GPP standards-based technology will support a new category of emerging devices and evolve as part of the 5G specifications. Implementing satellite connectivity on a mainstream terrestrial chipset allows Ligado to take advantage of the broad ecosystem that is creating around LTE-M and NB-IoT specifications. The companies aim to conduct several 5G demonstrations in the near future.

Creating a device ecosystem in L-Band for 5G also advances the path to enable network equipment from 5G suppliers that will use Ligado’s terrestrial spectrum and be 3GPP 5G NR compliant. Ligado Networks said it’s awaiting FCC review of its terrestrial authorisations in L-Band and is working with equipment vendors to select 5G suppliers.