Liquid targets African mining sector with Globalstar private-5G unique

African fibre broadband and satellite tv for pc connectivity supplier Liquid Clever Applied sciences has signed an unique take care of Globalstar to promote the US satellite tv for pc agency’s personal 5G merchandise in Africa and the Center East. The collaboration will doubtlessly develop on a non-exclusive foundation to additionally cowl Globalstar’s non-terrestrial satellite tv for pc community connectivity, plus its terrestrial Band n53 spectrum, and IoT options, a press release declared. 

Liquid Clever Applied sciences, owned by London-headquartered system integrator Cassava Applied sciences, may have an unique within the areas on Globalstar’s so-called XCOM RAN personal 5G resolution, offered as an open RAN multipoint radio system for personal 5G networks. Cassava Applied sciences has operations in 40-odd markets in Africa, the Center East, and Latin America; the brand new personal networks provide will work within the first two of those areas. 

The XCOM RAN product makes use of Globalstar’s n53 holding, an 11.5 MHz chunk of mid-band time-division duplexing (TDD) spectrum at 2483.5-2495 MHz which requires a single frequency band for each the uplink and downlink channels. The n53 band has been authorised by 3GPP for 5G networks, as has its band-53 4G variant. Globalstar calls it a “uncommon swath of mid-band spectrum not owned by a wi-fi operator”. 

It’s pitching it to integrators, enterprises, governments, carriers, and cable corporations, it says. Globalstar claims “four-times capability positive factors and superior efficiency” for its XCOM RAN system – “versus baseline 5G NR methods in each downlink and uplink transmissions”. It said: “Reliability is dramatically enhanced by eliminating challenges corresponding to radio interference, a number of RU clusters, disconnected RUs, and handover losses.” 

A press word to advertise the partnership additionally talked about help for “AI-driven functions”. The 2 corporations said: “[It is set to revolutionise the mining industry in Africa and high-end markets in the Middle East and Gulf regions… Combining XCOM RAN with the globally licensed Globalstar n53 mid-band spectrum creates a very unique offering for private and enterprise 5G networks.”

Liquid Intelligent Technologies will provide customer support for Globalstar’s products and services, including technical support and warranty services. Strive Masiyiwa, founder and chairman at the firm, said: “I’m really excited by… breakthroughs in private 5G… With this technology we are now able to provide services to large businesses like mines with their own private 5G networks that can also enable NextGen services like AI; this is huge.”

Hardy Pemhiwa, president and chief executive at Cassava Technologies, said: “We look forward to the opportunities… for our existing and potential customers in these sectors. Globalstar’s 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.”

Paul Jacobs, chief executive at Globalstar, said: “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… Together, Liquid and Globalstar will accelerate advanced wireless technology deployments in Africa, Middle East and Gulf regions.”