Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Globalstar have partnered to provide advanced 5G connectivity solutions to Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf region, with Liquid having exclusive rights to sell and distribute Globalstar’s XCOM RAN private network 5G access solutions in these regions.
“5G” and “AI” might sound like another buzzword, but this partnership is truly beneficial — it will provide much-needed services.
Understanding XCOM RAN
XCOM RAN stands for Xtra Capacity Outdoor Mobile Radio Access Network. In simple terms, it’s like a supercharged Wi-Fi router that lets you create a private network for a specific group of people, with all the bandwidth they need. In other words, a private wireless network.
XCOM RAN is complex, but crucially, it delivers a significant increase in capacity – significantly exceeding newer 5G NR systems on both the downlink and uplink, providing better performance, flexibility and coverage while using the available spectrum more efficiently.
Global Star CEO Efficiently To summarise what it is:
We have significantly increased the amount of data that can be transmitted over a given spectrum allocation and improved other performance metrics as well – all with flexible solutions that allow for future performance improvements.
It is used in places like mines where machines need to communicate instantly and reliably, and in other industries where even the slightest delay can be costly or dangerous. It is not for the general public, but is ideal for use cases like mines, large factories and airports.
Why choose this over satellite?
You may be wondering, “Isn’t satellite internet just for mines and other remote locations?” Why would a mine choose XCOM RAN over options like OneWeb (with which Liquid has partnered), Starlink, or even Globalstar’s own satellite service?
It’s true that setting up a satellite connection is generally cheaper. Setting up a private 5G network involves the following:
- Small Cells: These provide localized 5G coverage and are smaller and cheaper than traditional macrocell towers used for wider area coverage.
- XCOM RAN Gear: This includes the hardware and software that manages the network, handles data traffic, and provides essential services such as 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 costs borne by the satellite provider.
But it’s not all about cost: some applications require low latency, high capacity, customization and control, and in these cases private 5G networks offer a significant advantage over satellites.
The introduction of XCOM RAN technology to Zimbabwe and the other regions mentioned above will be significant for people who need reliable internet.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Globalstar Partner to Provide High-Speed 5G Access Solutions to Africa, Middle East and Gulf Regions
Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid), a business unit of leading technology group Cassava Technologies, announces a strategic partnership with American connectivity innovator Globalstar to provide advanced 5G connectivity solutions across Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf region.
Strive Masiyiwa, founder and chairman of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, said: “I’m really excited about the connectivity solutions that are emerging from advancements in 5G private network technology. This technology will enable us to provide services to large enterprises such as mining with their own 5G private networks, and also enable next generation services such as AI, which is huge.”
The partnership gives Liquid exclusive rights to sell and distribute Globalstar’s XCOM RAN private network 5G access solution in the Gulf, Middle East and Africa region.
The technology will enhance 5G experiences and also support AI-driven applications, set to revolutionize the mining industry in Africa as well as the luxury market in the Middle East and Gulf region.“We are excited about the opportunities our exclusive partnership with Globalstar will bring to our existing and potential customers in these sectors. Globalstar’s unique 5G enterprise solutions will enable us to provide unparalleled connectivity to customers across the African continent. This is in line with our ambition to be a leading technology company with African heritage, providing businesses and communities with the reliable, high-speed internet access they need to thrive in the digital age,” said Hardy Penhiwa, President and Group CEO, Cassava Technologies.
Liquid will provide comprehensive customer support for Globalstar’s products and services, including technical support and warranty services, and the partnership also includes expansion into Globalstar’s satellite, Band n53 spectrum and IoT solutions on a non-exclusive basis.
“Globalstar is pleased to join this partnership with Cassava and Liquid, a highly reputed group.
“They are a leader focused on technology adoption,” said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO of Globalstar.
“The regions where Liquid is a leader represent large and growing markets for our technology, which enables secure automation and remote control of mobile devices in high-value environments.“Our 5G XCOM RAN products are fundamentally different from traditional wireless solutions, enabling mission-critical, high-performance wireless applications. Combining XCOM RAN with globally licensed Globalstar n53 mid-band spectrum creates highly unique offerings for private and enterprise 5G networks. Together, Liquid and Globalstar will accelerate the adoption of advanced wireless technologies in Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf region.”
The partnership between Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Globalstar is another milestone that reaffirms Liquid’s commitment to partnering with global organizations that share the goal of driving progress and innovation through connectivity for businesses and individuals across the African continent and beyond.
