Airspan Partners with LightSquared, Develops Smart Grid Solution

Airspan Networks Inc., a provider of broadband wireless solutions, has partnered with LightSquared to exclusively market the operator’s 1.4 GHz wireless spectrum.

As we reported a few weeks ago, LightSquared is developing a wholesale-only LTE network using satellite and terrestrial spectrum, but the 1.4 GHz band won’t be part of its LTE offering. Instead, Airspan plans to package the spectrum with its equipment and services to develop a wireless smart grid solution targeted at U.S.-based utility providers.

Airspan plans to capitalize on the booming smart grid marketplace. Access to licensed spectrum has been a critical “missing link” for middle-mile backhaul and last-mile access in smart grid networks.  ”The combination of equipment and licensed spectrum eliminates the problem of relying on interference susceptible shared frequencies for mission critical applications,” said Paul Senior, Chief Technical Officer, Airspan Networks Inc.

“Airspan is very excited to be working with LightSquared to provide the best solution in the utilities market for a variety of data connectivity needs,” said Eric Stonestrom, CEO of Airspan. “The utilities market is evolving rapidly as we position America’s infrastructure for the next century and we are in a unique position to enable utilities to deploy 4G and other broadband solutions for control and monitoring of critical grid elements.”

For more, see this press release.

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