Ligado Networks, which is seeking to build a wholesale 5G network in its L-band satellite spectrum in the USA, has signed up to trial Rakuten Communications Platform (RCP). The aim is to use Open RAN technology to deploy 5G cost-effectively, though Ligado is still battling for final approval to run terrestrial wireless in its 40 MHz of spectrum in former mobile satellite bands (1.5/1.6 GHz). It finally looks likely to achieve this goal -, the FCC has twice voted, in recent months, to allow Ligado to run both 5G and satellite in its bands. The effort has lasted for almost two decades, including a spell in bankruptcy protection, because of opposition from the GPS community on the grounds of interference…