[Satellite TODAY 08-06-10] Airspan Networks, a broadband wireless access solutions provider, signed an agreement with LightSquared to market its 1.4 gigahertz (GHz) wireless spectrum for Smart Grid and Smart Utility applications in the United States, LightSquared announced Aug. 5.
    Airspan, which provides last- and middle-mile access and backhaul solutions on a range of radio spectrum, will combine U.S. Federal Communications Commission-approved fixed broadband and 4G technology with LightSquared’s 1.4 GHz spectrum to maximize overall Smart Grid network capacity and real-time system responsiveness. The 1.4 GHz licensed spectrum will be managed by Airspan and be made available to utilities in their distinct geographic markets.
    “The combination of equipment and licensed spectrum eliminates the problem of relying on interference susceptible shared frequencies for mission-critical applications," Airspan CTO Paul Senior said in a statement.
    LightSquared is the result of an eight-year, $7 billion joint venture between Harbinger Capital Partners and Nokia Siemens Networks to build and operate a 4G LTE satellite and mobile broadband network for wireless providers, announced in July.  LightSquared will rely on satellites and terrestrial spectrum that Harbinger acquired through its $280 million purchase of SkyTerra in March. LightSquared plans to launch in its first markets by the middle of 2011 and aims to provide coverage to 92 percent of the United States by 2015. The company will raise up to $1.75 billion in debt and equity before service launch.

Related Stories-

SkyTerra-1 Launch Postponed After Boeing Discovers Technical Glitch   Satellite Today   July 22, 2010
[Satellite TODAY 07-22-10] SkyTerra Communications, which is now LightSquared after yesterday s $7 billion deal between Harbinger and Nokia, will delay the launch of the $400 million�� SkyTerra-1 satellite after being notified of a technical…

Harbinger Signs $7 Billion Nokia Deal to build LTE Satellite Broadband Network   Satellite Today   July 21, 2010
[Satellite TODAY 07-21-10] Harbinger Capital signed an eight-year, $7 billion contract with Nokia Siemens Networks to build and operate a 4G LTE satellite and mobile broadband network for wireless providers, which will rely on satellites and…

Harbinger-SkyTerra LTE Deal Worth $7 Billion: Will Satellite Play a Major Role?    Satellite News   July 20, 2010
[Satellite News 07-20-10] Harbinger Capital s eight-year, $7 billion contract with Nokia Siemens Networks to build and operate a 4G LTE satellite and mobile broadband network for wireless providers may be one of the largest telecom deals seen in…