Software-defined private 5G – XCOM RAN seeks to bridge IT/OT for smarter Industry 4.0
Private 5G is rapidly becoming the connective tissue for Industry 4.0, linking machines, people, and data at the edge. But the real unlock comes from closing the gap between IT and OT. Globalstar’s XCOM RAN tackles that challenge with a software-defined approach that pairs open RAN innovation with licensed spectrum and satellite assets to deliver deterministic, industrial-grade performance.
- Software plus spectrum: XCOM RAN fuses a software-defined RAN with licensed Band 53 to provide predictable performance in demanding environments.
- Reliability at scale: Dedicated, on-prem private 5G designed to bridge IT/OT silos, while remaining simple to manage and expand.
- Fabric for physical AI: A foundation for autonomous systems, real-time computer vision, and intelligent edge analytics.
From satellite heritage to licensed Band 53
XCOM RAN sits within Globalstar, a satellite operator active in 120 countries with a long-running LEO constellation. The company holds S-band MSS licenses, including 11.5 MHz at 2.4 GHz (2483.5–2495 MHz), standardized by 3GPP as Band 53/n53 for TDD. In 2023, Globalstar struck an exclusive licensing deal with XCOM Labs—founded by former Qualcomm leaders—bringing advanced private 5G technology into the fold. The result: a software-centric, spectrum-agnostic private 5G platform with access to dedicated licensed spectrum and the option to leverage satellite assets.
Why software-defined open RAN matters
XCOM RAN embraces open RAN to separate software from hardware, pushing most network intelligence into software for agility and resilience. Intelligence traditionally tied to radios is elevated into the distributed unit (DU), where coordinated multi-point (CoMP) centralizes scheduling across radio nodes. This coordinated design boosts uplink and downlink performance—crucial in dense, reflective, or otherwise harsh RF environments. Paired with spatial massive MIMO and advanced beamforming, the system targets higher spectral efficiency, wider coverage, improved availability, and smoother mobility handoffs.
Deterministic performance for Industry 4.0
Industrial automation depends on predictable wireless—especially on the uplink, where sensors, robots, and cameras push data to the edge. Use cases range from autonomous drones in ports to inspections in hazardous zones. Much of today’s sensor data goes unused; unlocking value requires reliable connectivity to support real-time analytics and closed-loop control. The thesis is simple: downtime is costly, and deterministic connectivity is the safeguard that keeps production lines, warehouses, and ports moving.
The IT/OT convergence layer
Instead of rigid, hardware-bound cellular stacks, XCOM RAN treats the RAN, core, and edge as software. That makes the network behave like an IT application—upgradable, programmable, and continuously improved via CI/CD. This software-defined fabric unifies machines, systems, devices, and people with low latency and deterministic performance, while remaining architecturally private for OT. Telemetry stays on-prem, preserving OT control, security, and data sovereignty. Meanwhile, IT gains a standards-based platform that integrates cleanly with enterprise workflows for automation, analytics, and AI.
Scale like a data center
Because the baseband runs on commercial off-the-shelf servers, scaling mirrors cloud operations: add compute, extend coverage, or push new features in software. This approach avoids proprietary hardware lock-in, reduces lifecycle costs, and accelerates innovation. Network evolution becomes incremental and software-driven rather than a forklift rebuild every few years.
Licensed spectrum as a differentiator
The platform is spectrum agnostic and supports CBRS and other TDD bands, with TDD favored for uplink/downlink flexibility. But shared and unlicensed options (like CBRS and Wi‑Fi) face contention risks. Band 53 gives enterprises a private, licensed “lane” with predictable performance and assured service, even in noisy RF conditions. That’s often the difference between a pilot that works in the lab and a production system that works at scale.
Adoption’s biggest hurdle: culture, not technology
Real-world trials suggest the tech delivers; the surprise is cultural. When IT, OT, and automation vendors align on a single private 5G network, they start solving problems that were impractical with Wi‑Fi or siloed systems. Deterministic wireless can replace cables, enabling autonomous forklifts, real-time computer vision, and robust edge analytics—and with that comes a mindset shift that accelerates IoT and “physical AI” adoption.
What’s next: super cells and self-tuning autonomy
Looking ahead, expect multi-acre “super cells” spanning millions of square feet, orchestrating AI workloads and tapping satellite backhaul where needed. Crucially, new capabilities should arrive as software upgrades, not hardware overhauls. The vision is for autonomous networks to self-tune for latency, mobility, energy use, and interference—supporting not just a handful of robots per site, but hundreds or thousands. As the economy enters a new AI era, the connective layer must be reliable and secure to keep pace with innovation. Without it, the promise of Industry 4.0 falls apart.
