LightSquared adds Cellular South to partner roster

LightSquared, the wholesale LTE network provider that’s set to shake up the US carrier market in 2011, has announced another customer in the guise of Cellular South, a privately owner wireless communications provider.

The agreement will provide Cellular South customers with nationwide LTE coverage as well as satellite coverage where there is no terrestrial network at all. It also means LightSquared’s 4G coverage will take in additional rural areas.

LightSquared is building a nationwide  network of LTE coverage in the US supplemented by satellite, to rival traditional incumbents such as Verizon and AT&T. It plans to offer this on a wholesale basis to partners and expects to have the service go live in the second half of 2011. LightSquared has already announced several partners including Leap and Best Buy.

“LightSquared’s wholesale-only, integrated 4G-LTE wireless broadband and satellite network, makes them a valuable partner because it enables us to provide our customers, including those in rural locations, with nationwide access to the most advanced technology and reliable coverage available,” said Hu Meena, president and CEO of Cellular South, in a statement.

“We are pleased to offer Cellular South our nationwide 4G-LTE and satellite coverage and capacity through our wholesale-only model at attractive rates so they can better service their customers”, said Sanjiv Ahuja, chairman and CEO of LightSquared.

LightSquared’s executive vice president, Martin Harriman is one of the speakers at this year’s LTE World Summit, due to be held in Amsterdam on 17-18^th May 2011.