Ligado Seeks FCC Approval for AST SpaceMobile Deal

Ligado Networks has filed for FCC approval of its strategic partnership with AST SpaceMobile, aiming to merge terrestrial and satellite 5G networks.

Ligado Networks has formally sought FCC approval for its pivotal strategic partnership with AST SpaceMobile, a move that aims to forge a unified satellite-terrestrial network. This filing represents a critical juncture in the convergence of mobile satellite services and ground-based 5G infrastructure. The proposed deal would leverage Ligado’s licensed L-band spectrum with AST’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, creating a direct spectrum sharing framework that could redefine ubiquitous connectivity and intensify the space race for telecom dominance.

This collaborative proposal contrasts sharply with the traditional regulatory silos separating satellite and terrestrial operators. Ligado is pursuing a regulatory-first strategy, seeking explicit permission for an innovative network architecture before major deployment. Gaining FCC approval is the essential deliverable that would validate the technical and interference mitigation plans for this hybrid model. This matters profoundly for the satellite communications industry, as it could set a precedent for how shared spectrum is governed, directly impacting the business case for global direct-to-device services from space and challenging the existing cellular network paradigm.

For satellite operators and wireless carriers, the implications are both competitive and cooperative. This deal necessitates that rivals accelerate their own regulatory strategy and technology roadmaps for integrated services. The forecast points toward a fragmented but innovative market for space-based connectivity, where partnership models will be as critical as technology. Decision-makers must now conduct rigorous spectrum analysis and prepare for potential rulemaking proceedings that will shape the next decade of mobile access. The next imperative is for industry to engage in the FCC review process to ensure technical standards protect existing services while enabling this ambitious mobile ecosystem expansion. Approval could catalyze billions in infrastructure investment, making the FCC’s decision a linchpin for the future of global telecommunications.