LightSquared in Pact with Sharp for L-Band Smartphone and Tablet Product Development

LightSquared, a provider of wholesale-only nationwide 4G-LTE network integrated with satellite coverage, announced a strategic collaboration agreement with consumer electronics specialist Sharp to deliver device solutions for LightSquared partners using Sharp’s smartphone and tablet technologies.

Sharp is the first manufacturer of LightSquared to provide advanced smartphones and tablets which will operate on its 4G-LTE network. LightSquared is leveraging the product solutions to develop a range of innovative devices which will incorporate an extensive selection of unique device components, such as Sharp’s advanced LCD panel and camera module.

The device solutions featuring Sharp’s leading-edge smartphone and tablet technologies will benefit LightSquared’s 4G-LTE network partners including carriers, retailers and others, company officials said.

 “Sharp has a rich history of producing unique products that push the extremes of design and functionality, and we’re proud that they will be developing innovative devices for LightSquared’s 4G-LTE network,” said Sanjiv Ahuja, chief executive officer of LightSquared, in a statement.

“LightSquared’s wholesale-only business model and open network will provide Sharp with a platform from which they can aggressively expand into the U.S. wireless market with an exciting portfolio of smartphones and tablets,” Ahuja added.

LightSquared, created with a mission to revolutionize the U.S. wireless industry, plans to deploy an open 4G wireless broadband network to be used by existing and new service providers to sell their own devices, applications and services at a competitive cost and without retail competition from LightSquared.

The company has announced more than $14 billion of private investment over the next eight years for the deployment and operation of its network.

Recently, LightSquared announced it is further investing in next generation push-to-talk (PTT) and other critical communications features as part of the company’s moves to next-generation satellite services. As part of this plan, LightSquared will replace the current public safety devices at no cost and continue to support older devices through 2014.