Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a leading communications solutions provider, has entered into a strategic alliance with Globalstar, a company at the forefront of satellite technology, to enhance 5G connectivity across Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf region. Through this partnership, Liquid is granted the exclusive rights to market and distribute Globalstar’s cutting-edge XCOM RAN private networks 5G access solution in these territories.
The term ‘5G’ often gets tossed around as a tech buzzword, and ‘AI’ has become a catchphrase for modern innovation. However, this collaboration between Liquid and Globalstar transcends the typical hype surrounding such terms. It’s a significant development that promises to deliver essential connectivity services where they are most needed.
Exploring the Capabilities of XCOM RAN Technology
Delving into the specifics of XCOM RAN, the acronym stands for Xtra Capacity Outdoor Mobile Radio Access Network. To put it in layman’s terms, imagine it as an extremely powerful Wi-Fi router that doesn’t just connect you to the internet—it creates a dedicated, private network. This network is reserved for a specific user group, ensuring that these users have exclusive access to the network’s full bandwidth capacity without any external interference or congestion.
While the technicalities of XCOM RAN can be quite intricate, the key takeaway is its ability to provide substantial improvements in network capacity. It significantly surpasses the performance of the latest 5G New Radio (NR) systems in terms of both data download (downlink) and upload (uplink) speeds.
XCOM RAN achieves this by utilizing the available radio spectrum more efficiently, which results in enhanced performance, greater flexibility, and wider coverage. This technology is set to revolutionize the way private networks are deployed and managed, offering a robust solution for organizations in need of secure, high-speed, and reliable wireless communication.
The CEO of Globalstar succinctly captured the essence of their technological advancement:
“We’ve significantly enhanced the data throughput possible within a given spectrum allocation, while also elevating other performance metrics. This is achieved through a versatile solution that not only meets current demands but is also engineered for future enhancements.”
This technology is particularly beneficial in environments such as mining operations, where machinery must communicate instantly and dependably. It’s also valuable in other sectors where even minimal delays can have expensive or hazardous consequences. While it’s not designed for widespread consumer use, it’s ideal for specific applications such as mines, large manufacturing plants, airports, and similar settings where reliable and rapid communication is critical.
Why choose this over satellite?
You might think, ‘Isn’t satellite internet meant to serve mines and other remote places?’ Why would a mine choose XCOM RAN over options like OneWeb (which Liquid has partnered with), Starlink, or even Globalstar’s own satellite offering?
You’re right that setting up a satellite connection is generally cheaper. Setting up a private 5G network involves:
- Small Cells: These provide localised 5G coverage and are smaller and less expensive than traditional macro cell towers used for wider area coverage.
- XCOM RAN Equipment: This includes hardware and software that manage the network, handle data traffic, and provide essential services like authentication and security.
This setup is more expensive than satellite internet, which primarily requires a satellite dish and modem at the user’s location, with the main infrastructure cost borne by the satellite provider. However, cost isn’t everything. Some applications require low latency, higher capacity, and customization and control. For these, a private 5G network is vastly superior to satellite.
For those who need reliable internet, it’s a big deal that XCOM RAN technology is coming to Zimbabwe and the other mentioned regions.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Globalstar partner to deliver high-speed 5G access solutions across Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf region.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid), a business of Cassava Technologies, a leading technology group is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with American connectivity innovator Globalstar to deliver advanced 5G connectivity solutions across Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf.
Strive Masiyiwa, founder and Chairman of Liquid Intelligent Technologies said, “I’m really excited by the connectivity solutions now emerging from breakthroughs in 5G private networks technologies. With this technology we are now able to provide services to large businesses like mines with their own 5G private networks that can also enable NextGen services like AI; this is huge”.
The partnership will provide Liquid with exclusive rights in the Gulf, Middle East and Africa regions to sell and distribute Globalstar’s XCOM RAN private networks 5G access solution. This innovative technology that enhances the 5G experience, also supports AI-driven applications and is set to revolutionise the mining industry in Africa and high-end markets in the Middle East and Gulf regions.
“We look forward to the opportunities this exclusive partnership with Globalstar will unfold for our existing and potential customers in these sectors. Globalstar’s unique 5G enterprise solution will enable us to provide unparalleled connectivity to our customers on the continent, aligning with our ambition of becoming a leading technology company of African heritage, empowering businesses and communities with the reliable and high-speed internet access needed to thrive in the digital age,” said Hardy Pemhiwa, President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies.
Liquid will provide comprehensive customer support for Globalstar’s products and services, including technical support and warranty services. The collaboration also includes potential expansion to Globalstar’s satellite, Band n53 spectrum and IoT solutions on a non-exclusive basis.
“Globalstar is pleased to join in partnership with Cassava and Liquid, a group of well-respected leaders with a sharp focus on technology deployments.”, said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO of Globalstar. “The regions where Liquid is a leader are large and growing markets for our technologies which enable safe automation and remote control of mobile equipment in high value environments.
Our 5G XCOM RAN product fundamentally differs from traditional wireless solutions and enables mission critical high performance wireless applications. Combining XCOM RAN with the globally licensed Globalstar n53 midband spectrum , creates a very unique offering for private and enterprise 5G networks. Together, Liquid and Globalstar will accelerate advanced wireless technology deployments in Africa, Middle East and Gulf regions.”
The partnership between Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Globalstar is yet another achievement, reiterating Liquid’s commitment to partnering with global organisations that share the aim to foster progress and innovation through connectivity for businesses and individuals on the African continent and beyond.
