Photo: Ligado.

In a new filing to the FCC, Ligado defended its request to host an L-band payload on AST SpaceMobile satellites, saying the proposal will work within Ligado’s existing L-band coordination agreements and the FCC rules. 

In December, Ligado asked the FCC to modify its satellite license to deploy an L-band payload called SkyTerra Next on AST SpaceMobile’s Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation, in order to operate an L-band mobile satellite system providing service in the U.S. Ligado has stated it would partner with AST SpaceMobile to provide direct-to-device (D2D) mobile satellite service (MSS) in the L-band to improve services to businesses, government users, and consumers in the U.S. where there is no mobile broadband. 

Ligado’s application drew pushback from Iridium, which filed a petition asking the FCC to deny the request earlier this month. Iridium’s petition accused Ligado of spectrum hoarding and argued that the Ligado/AST SpaceMobile agreement effectively transfers control of Ligado’s license to AST SpaceMobile. 

Other commenters included the GPS Innovation Alliance, which argued that Ligado’s proposal raises substantial questions about harmful interference to GPS services. John Deere, which operates a GPS augmentation system, also filed a comment over its concern for potential impact on its precision agricultural receivers. 

Ligado’s response asserted that SkyTerra Next will comply with FCC requirements and regulations for MSS in the L-band and that it is designed to protect GPS and other adjacent-band services. 

“Iridium Communications throws up baseless arguments, some of which are simply irrelevant or perpetuate a naked claim to Ligado’s coordinated spectrum. Not one of these critiques provides a basis for delaying a swift and straightforward grant of the modification,” Ligado told the FCC. 

Ligado also addressed the commercial agreement with AST SpaceMobile and asserted that while AST SpaceMobile will be Ligado’s largest customer for SkyTerra Next, Ligado will still control its spectrum.

Separately, AST SpaceMobile also filed a statement in support, asking the FCC to grant Ligado’s request. Viasat and the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) also now support the application. 

Ligado said in a statement that this change to its license and deploying SkyTerra Next would make more efficient use of the company’s licensed L-band spectrum. 

“This technological upgrade complements the company’s existing SkyTerra-1 operations and would make more intensive and efficient use of Ligado’s existing licensed L-band spectrum,” the company said in a statement. “This approach would help expand space-based 5G connectivity for U.S. consumers, including in areas where terrestrial coverage is limited while bringing additional innovation and competition to the emerging Direct-to-Device (D2D) market.”

Last year, Ligado struck a spectrum deal with AST SpaceMobile to give the company L-band mobile satellite spectrum (MSS) spectrum rights in the United States and Canada.