The LightSquared enigma

[Commentary] What to make of LightSquared?

The newest entrant on the mobile broadband scene has a bold plan, but there seems to be so many obstacles preventing it from executing that plan. Ask the financial analysts, they smirk and say “show me the money.” Talk to the GPS folks, who will have a big say in whether LightSquared’s plans become reality, and they claim there’s no way LightSquared can build a long-term evolution (LTE) network that won't bring down the global positioning services that so many industries depend on. But there’s no denying that a lot of people want to buy what LightSquared is selling. Reports are emerging left and right that LightSquared is in discussions with cable operator A, regional wireline operator B or retail brand C. According to LightSquared it’s already landed five contracts, is in final negotiations with 15 entities and in discussions with 60 total. Maybe this is horse or carrot situation: To raise money, LightSquared first has to prove it will make money. Or LightSquared could be taking the same approach to its network build as AT&T is taking with its proposed acquisition of T-Mobile: If you make something seem inevitable then maybe it becomes inevitable.