Nokia and Ligado partner on 4G, 5G enterprise private network

Ligado Networks and Nokia have partnered to enhance Nokia's private wireless network and edge computing platform, Digital Automation Cloud (DAC).

Nokia’s DAC makes use of both unlicensed and licensed spectrum to ensure bandwidth, network availability, and security. Per the new deal, Nokia will leverage Ligado's Band 24 spectrum to serve consumers in the US.

Band 24 is Ligado's licensed mid-band spectrum for terrestrial deployment nationwide. It is supported by an extensive network infrastructure, including Nokia's 4G/LTE and 5G base station equipment.

Ligado’s chief strategy officer Scott Wiener said: "We are excited about partnering with Nokia to support 4G and 5G enterprise private networks utilizing Ligado's spectrum."

"US companies, particularly those operating critical infrastructure and systems, are increasingly implementing mobile private networks to assure reliability and security in their business operations.”

“To serve this rapidly expanding market need, Ligado is advancing commercial efforts to deploy its 35 MHz of spectrum with market leaders like Nokia, including 3GPP standardization and ecosystem development of the company's 1670-1675 MHz band."

Nokia and Ligado previously partnered in 2021 to develop 5G base station radios compatible with Ligado's L-Band spectrum.

"Ligado looks forward to supporting Nokia DAC deployments with commercial availability by end of 2022 of our L-Band FDD spectrum platform to feed the demand for efficient coverage and high bandwidth in mobile private networks. We also anticipate developing additional capabilities with the TDD 1670-1675 MHz band," added Maqbool Aliani, Ligado CTO.

According to reports, Ligado and Nokia expect to make their first contact with enterprise customers in early 2022.