Ligado Eyes 5G Testing by Next Spring: CEO

Ligado completed a 5G over-the-air call on its test network earlier this month, validating that its spectrum and planned network architecture "are well-suited for next-generation applications," CEO Doug Smith blogged Wednesday. He said Ligado expects to start trials later this year with Rakuten Mobile toward its planned 5G mobile private network. He said Ligado hopes to be working with tech companies by this time next year on collaborations and doing a real-world trial of its 5G mobile private network. Ligado received 5-0 FCC approval a year ago (see 2004200039).