Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Globalstar Join Forces to Supercharge 5G Connectivity Across Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf
Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid), has announced a strategic partnership with Globalstar, a leading American connectivity innovator. The goal? To bring cutting-edge 5G connectivity solutions to Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf.
A subsidiary of Cassava Technologies, founded by the visionary Zimbabwean entrepreneur Strive Masiyiwa, Liquid began life as the satellite and voice operator Econet Satellite Services. It is the first African organisation in emerging markets to deploy over 110,000 km of fibre network on the continent.
The partnership gives Liquid exclusive rights to sell and distribute Globalstar’s XCOM RAN 5G solutions across its footprint. It plans on using the technology to provide large, high value businesses, like mines, with their own 5G private networks capable of supporting NextGen services, including AI.
“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 handle all customer support for Globalstar’s products, from technical assistance to warranties. The collaboration could also expand to include Globalstar’s satellite, Band n53 spectrum, and IoT solutions.
XCOM’s 3GPP ORAN-based wireless Radio Access Network delivers 5G via its constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and second generation ground infrastructure consisting of 24 ground stations.
The system runs on the globally licensed spectrum band n53, which is TDD spectrum with a frequency range of 2483.5-2495 MHz and bandwidth of 11.5 MHz. Its n53 variant has been approved by the 3GPP for 5G networks, as has its 4G variant Band 53.
“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’ said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO of Globalstar and former head of Qualcomm.
The partnership perfectly illustrates how the convergence of technologies including non terrestrial networks, Private Networks, 5G Open RAN and AI, is transforming connectivity and creating opportunities to develop compelling new business models.
