LightSquared is trying to position itself as a low-cost alternative to the big wireless operators like Verizon Communications Inc (>> Verizon Communications Inc.) and AT&T (>> AT&T Inc.).

Montagner, who has nearly 25 years of experience, had worked with France Telecom (>> FRANCE TELECOM), Morgan Stanley (>> Morgan Stanley), Sprint Nextel (>> Sprint Nextel Corporation) and Banc of America Securities (>> Bank of America Corp).

He was responsible for mergers and acquisitions at Sprint and supervised the merger between Sprint and Nextel.

On Monday, Sprint Nextel extended a December 31 deadline for LightSquared, with which it may share infrastructure, to get a regulatory clearance for operating a planned telecommunications network.

(Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Bangalore; Editing by Supriya Kurane)