Rakuten Mobile and Ligado Networks last week announced a partnership to create a blueprint for Ligado's 5G mobile private network solution that leverages the Rakuten Communications Platform (RCP).
Under the MoU, the companies will commence efforts in Q1 2021 with ecosystem partners and vendors to establish a timeline for the implementation of network trials and blueprint for solutions.
Under the MoU, the companies will define a strategy that leverages Rakuten's ecosystem position to advance the jointly developed 5G mobile private network solution and accelerate overall L-Band commercial readiness among network hardware and software providers. Ligado Networks and Rakuten Mobile will collaborate with enterprise customers on advanced use cases and the final technology stack for a launch of the 5G mobile private network offering.
With this MoU, Rakuten Mobile and Ligado Networks aim to accelerate the delivery of private networks through the use of open technology. RCP combines the proven technologies and expert playbook of the world's first end-to-end cloud native, software- centric, Open RAN based mobile network of Rakuten Mobile and its world-class partners to offer enterprises a way to easily build and deploy fully cloud native network services at speed and low-cost. Ligado's licensed mid-band spectrum supports enterprises by building mobile networks that meet their requirements for availability, coverage and flexibility for indoor and outdoor deployments.
Ligado is currently a network operator of mobile satellite service (MSS) to government and commercial customers across North America.
Tareq Amin, CTO of Rakuten Mobile
With 5G being introduced by mobile network operators around the world, some of the most innovative use-cases will be in 5G mobile private networks. 5G brings ultra-low latency and ultra-high bandwidth enabling unprecedented experiences and services and unique applications in private networks.
Doug Smith, President and CEO at Ligado Networks
Combining our know-how and licensed L-Band spectrum in the U.S. with the Rakuten Communications Platform and Open RAN infrastructure, we will create a novel blueprint for delivering new efficiencies to U.S. companies looking to deploy powerful mobile private networks that are highly secure and ultra-reliable.
