Nokia Siemens Networks has won a whopping $7 billion contract to build and manage a 4G network across the US for startup LightSquared.
The new operator plans to build a hybrid satellite-LTE network which it would wholesale to mobile, fixed-line and cable operators.
The announcement comes just one day after NSN announced it had bought Motorola’s network arm for $1.2 billion, aimed at boosting its small footprint in the US and Asia.
LightSquared said it would launch in the second half of next year, with 40,000 base stations covering 92% of the population by 2015.
The business is owned by New York hedge fund Harbinger Capital Partners, which surprised the industry in April when it unveiled plans for the network using spectrum owned by its satellite companies SkyTerra and Terrestar Networks.
It also reportedly plans to lease satellite spectrum from UK-based Inmarsat, in which it owns a 28% stake.
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