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Connected networks, Viasatand AST SpaceMobile have reached a deal over Ligado’s debt to Viasat, and mid-band spectrum for AST SpaceMobile.
Under the deal AST SpaceMobile detailed on Monday, AST SpaceMobile will pay Ligado approximately $550 million, $535 million of which will go to Inmarsat for the rights to the mid-band spectrum.
This comes after Ligado filed for bankruptcy in January while striking a spectrum deal with AST SpaceMobile to give the company L-band mobile satellite spectrum (MSS) spectrum rights in the United States and Canada. Ligado owed debt to Inmarsat, now owned by Viasat, as part of a spectrum agreement between the companies, and sued over that agreement in January.
AST SpaceMobile said that under the term sheet, Inmarsat will support the company to receive long-term spectrum usage rights to up to 40 MHz of L-band MSS spectrum in the United States and Canada held by Ligado. AST SpaceMobile plans to use the spectrum for direct-to-device satellite applications.
Inmarsat has also agreed to support AST SpaceMobile’s plans to apply for regulatory authority to operate a Non-Geostationary (NGSO) satellite system in the L-band mid-band spectrum in North America.
AST SpaceMobile agreed to pay $420 million to Inmarsat on Ligado’s behalf on October 31, then $100 million to Inmarsat on March 31, 2026 and $15 million upon receiving regulatory approval and closing of the transaction. AST SpaceMobile has received a financing commitment to support the payments.
For AST SpaceMobile, this gives the company access to mid-band satellite spectrum for D2D services, in addition to its plans with mobile network operators to use terrestrial spectrum for D2D.
Viasat reported in a June 13 release that it expects to receive $568 million from Ligado in fiscal year 2026. Ligado will also make quarterly payments of around $16 million starting on Sept. 30.
The deal is subject to approval by Ligado’s bankruptcy court. The deal includes that Ligado’s lawsuit against Inmarsat is stayed and will be dismissed.
Viasat said its ability to provide MSS globally is “unaffected” and the company has a “continued commitment to facilitate innovation that enables new MSS services.”
