Viasat, Ligado and Skylo Aim for Direct to Device Services

 Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, today announced it has reached non-binding Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Ligado Networks and Skylo Technologies intended to offer first generation standards based Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite services via Ligado’s SkyTerra satellite network. Viasat and Ligado have already partnered closely for years to provide a range of Mobile Satellite Services over SkyTerra.

The expanded agreement intends to add Skylo’s technology for 3GPP Release-17 NTN industry standard waveforms and spectrum and also adds their sales and services capabilities to the team. Ligado’s SkyTerra-1 satellite network can enable these services over North America and surrounding waters. The partners aim to bring smartphone messaging, wearable connectivity, and IoT services enabling cellular devices to connect seamlessly via satellite rapidly to some of the world’s most attractive markets.

The companies intend to launch commercial services in 2023 across a broad range of market segments, including consumer smartphone, automotive, and defense applications.

“The 3GPP NB-IoT standards, delivered over Ligado’s powerful SkyTerra-1 satellite, can help to rapidly enable a broad range of innovative services using on orbit Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) networks,” said Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO, Viasat. “Adding Skylo to our partnership with Ligado can help accelerate inclusion of first generation direct to satellite connectivity for a broad range of devices. Longer term, we believe space-based networks can help scale these applications by substantially increasing network data rates and capacity; increasing service convenience and availability; and reducing costs.”