Sony Semiconductor and Ligado Networks are collaborating to develop chipsets for 5G mobile satellite networks for the internet of things (IoT).
Sony will build on its previous design and standards efforts to adapt 5G IoT technology and manufacture IoT chipsets that are compatible with Ligado’s L-band MSS spectrum, which 3GPP has standardized as Band 255 for non-terrestrial networks.
Once the chipsets are developed, Ligado plans to deploy a 5G satellite network to support mainstream devices that will have integrated chipsets that support both satellite and terrestrial connections. Satellite coverage will offer extended 5G coverage and provide redundancy to 5G mobile private networks.
The combination of private 5G networks with satellite, terrestrial and redundancy will allow always-on connectivity and coverage across a company’s entire network footprint.
The work will be completed in several phases with the goal of initial technology trials starting by the end of 2022.
Why it is important
5G satellite IoT networks will support tens of millions of mobile devices that will power machine-to-machine communications in multiple industries such as transportation, agriculture, utilities and energy.
The partnership brings the companies closer to providing standalone satellite and combined satellite and terrestrial connections to enterprise customers.
Real-time communication to the small modules and devices will be used for applications such as wide-area vehicle diagnostics, environmental monitoring, smart metering and critical messaging anywhere in North America.
