LightSquared Comments at Communacopia

Michael Montemarano, LightSquared CFO, and  and Frank Boulben, Chief Marketing Officer, talk about the company at the Goldman Sachs 20th Annual Communacopia Conference. The executives provided an overview and update of the LightSquared business a well as a recap of yesterday’s announcement of the company’s solution to GPS interference issues. You can listen to the presentation here: LightSquared presentation

Bad News: Your Company Name and "Scandal" in the Headlines

Lightsquared executives might be right that there is nothing untoward about its relationship to White House officials. Lightsquared might be right about not receiving any special treatment. But it has a bigger problem that GPS interference now. The words "scandal," "Solyndra" and "LightSquared" now are being mentioned in the same headlines and sentences.

It no longer matters why. It no longer matters whether it is "fair." It is becoming a political reality that bodes ill for LightSquared.

Words you never want to hear

MetroPCS Eyes TerreStar Assets - WSJ.com

MetroPCS Communications is exploring a purchase of assets of mobile-communications business TerreStar Networks Inc. out of bankruptcy court, the Wall Street Journal reports.

TerreStar's most attractive assets are government licenses to use spectrum for mobile satellite applications. MetroPCS, the fifth-largest U.S. wireless carrier by subscribers, has been on the hunt for spectrum that will help it become a national operator.

It isn't clear whether the spectrum could be "re-purposed" for terrestrial fourth-generation networks, but LightSquared has been able to get such authority, as Terrestar has customers already making use of the satellite communications network.

MetroPCS also could use wholesale capacity from the proposed LightSquared network, as well. MetroPCS might also bid on spectrum Clearwire wants to sell. 

AT&T's "Satellite Augmented Mobile Service" uses the TerreStar network and dual-mode handsets that use both cellular and satellite networks.

The TerreStar "Genus" smartphone operates with terrestrial mobile as the primary default mode and satellite access capability as a secondary option for voice, data and messaging.

The access to the TerreStar satellite network enables wireless communications coverage in remote areas for government, energy, utility, transportation and maritime users, as well as backup satellite communications capabilities for public safety agencies, first responders and disaster recovery groups.

MetroPCS Eyes TerreStar Assets - WSJ.com (subscription required)