Globalstar's Secret Weapon
XCOM Wireless Technology: Converting Compute to Capacity
Introduction
XCOM wireless technology, branded as XCOM RAN by Globalstar, is a next-generation private wireless solution that leverages Band 53 (5G band n53)—a licensed spectrum range (2483.5–2495 MHz) that Globalstar controls. Designed for high-performance enterprise networks, XCOM RAN introduces a unique "super-cell" architecture, eliminating handoff boundaries and increasing spectrum efficiency, making it a strong alternative to traditional Wi-Fi, CBRS-based LTE/5G, or small-cell architectures.
Unlike conventional wireless networks that rely on multiple independent base stations, XCOM RAN coordinates all radio units as a single, unified multi-point, joint-processing system. This allows for near-total spectrum reuse, delivering over four times the capacity of traditional 5G networks using the same bandwidth.
This document explores the technical principles, performance advantages, applications, and market impact of XCOM RAN.
1. Spectrum and 5G Standards Compliance
Band 53: A Unique Licensed Spectrum
XCOM RAN operates on Band 53 (5G NR band n53), a mid-band, time-division duplex (TDD) spectrum spanning 2483.5–2495 MHz. This licensed spectrum is reserved exclusively for Globalstar, eliminating the risk of interference commonly found in unlicensed bands (e.g., Wi-Fi, CBRS).
Initially licensed in 2015, Band 53 is now approved for private wireless networks in 12 countries and standardized by 3GPP for LTE and 5G New Radio (NR) in Release 17. This ensures compatibility with existing 5G NR devices supporting n53—a growing ecosystem as chipset manufacturers (Qualcomm, Quectel, Telit) incorporate Band 53 support into modems and IoT modules.
Standards and Open RAN Compliance
XCOM RAN adheres to 3GPP 5G NR specifications and is built on an O-RAN (Open RAN) architecture, which promotes interoperability with third-party network hardware. Unlike proprietary small-cell networks, XCOM RAN runs on general-purpose computing hardware, allowing enterprises to deploy private 5G using open-standard equipment.
2. Converting Compute to Capacity: The Role of Open RAN
A defining characteristic of XCOM RAN is its ability to convert compute resources into additional network capacity, rather than relying solely on additional spectrum. This is made possible through advanced joint signal processing and the use of Open RAN architecture.
What Does "Converting Compute to Capacity" Mean?
In traditional cellular networks, adding capacity requires allocating more spectrum or deploying more small cells, which can create interference and increase complexity. XCOM RAN takes a different approach: instead of simply adding new frequency channels, it uses advanced software algorithms and distributed computing to optimize the way data is transmitted across its network.
By coordinating multiple radio units through centralized cloud-based processing, XCOM RAN can fully reuse the same frequency resources across the entire network, effectively multiplying spectral efficiency. This means that as compute power increases (e.g., more processing cores, optimized AI-based algorithms), network performance scales accordingly—without requiring additional spectrum or radio sites.
The Role of Open RAN in XCOM RAN
XCOM RAN is built on Open RAN (O-RAN) principles, meaning that its radio access network is software-defined and operates on general-purpose compute hardware rather than proprietary telecom equipment. This provides three major advantages:
Network Intelligence and Flexibility – Open RAN allows XCOM to dynamically optimize radio resource allocation and minimize interference across radio units. Instead of static frequency assignments, machine learning algorithms can adjust power levels, beamforming, and signal timing in real time.
Vendor-Agnostic Hardware Deployment – Since Open RAN disaggregates hardware and software, XCOM RAN can be deployed using commodity servers and virtualized network functions (VNFs). This reduces costs and increases deployment flexibility.
Scalability Without Infrastructure Bottlenecks – Unlike traditional RAN systems that require dedicated baseband units (BBUs) for each small cell, XCOM RAN’s Open RAN approach allows multiple radio units to share a single centralized processing unit. This eliminates the need for complex inter-cell coordination and simplifies scaling up the network.
How Open RAN Enables XCOM's "Super Cell" Architecture
XCOM RAN’s super-cell architecture is only possible because of Open RAN’s cloud-native control layer. The system decouples radio units (RUs) from baseband processing, allowing a centralized computing engine to dynamically coordinate all radio units as a single cell. This is a significant departure from traditional cellular networks, where each base station operates independently.
With Open RAN:
All radio units in an XCOM RAN deployment act as one unified network, avoiding handoffs and signal degradation at the edges of cells.
Software-based coordination ensures that as more radios are added, network capacity scales linearly, rather than causing interference like in traditional dense cell deployments.
Future-proofing is built-in—XCOM RAN can incorporate AI-driven optimizations and integrate new radio technologies without requiring hardware overhauls.
3. XCOM RAN Network Architecture
“Super Cell” Design: Eliminating Handoffs
A major innovation in XCOM RAN is its joint-processing, distributed radio network. Traditional cellular networks require users to transition between different cell towers as they move, causing handoffs that can lead to dropped connections or performance degradation at cell edges.
In contrast, XCOM RAN functions as a single "super cell", where all radio units (RUs) collaborate in real time under centralized signal processing. This eliminates inter-cell interference and handoff boundaries, ensuring a seamless connection across large facilities.
Coherent Distributed MIMO: Increasing Capacity
XCOM RAN employs coherent distributed MIMO, a technique that synchronizes multiple radio units so they act as one large virtual antenna system. This maximizes spectral efficiency, allowing each frequency channel to be fully reused across all radios.
Independent tests by Signals Research Group (SRG) found that XCOM RAN delivers over 4.5 Gbps in a 100 MHz channel—a 64.6 bits/s/Hz spectral efficiency, far exceeding typical 5G deployments. In the uplink, SRG recorded 770 Mbps in a 100 MHz channel (38.3 bps/Hz), demonstrating high resource block reuse.
Scalability and Infrastructure Flexibility
Adding more radios to an XCOM RAN network increases both coverage and capacity, unlike traditional small-cell architectures where new cells introduce interference and require frequency planning. This makes XCOM ideal for private 5G deployments in dynamic environments (e.g., warehouses, industrial plants, corporate campuses).
Conclusion
XCOM RAN represents a major advancement in private wireless technology, combining licensed spectrum, joint-processing network architecture, and Open RAN flexibility. With superior capacity, seamless coverage, and interference-free operation, it is well-positioned for industrial automation, large-scale logistics, and mission-critical wireless applications.
The key differentiator of XCOM RAN is its ability to convert compute power into network capacity, rather than relying on additional spectrum. This, combined with an Open RAN-based architecture, allows businesses to scale their wireless networks efficiently while maintaining high performance, low latency, and seamless mobility.
As enterprise demand for private 5G grows, XCOM RAN’s unique combination of spectrum efficiency, software-driven intelligence, and Open RAN scalability makes it a compelling alternative to Wi-Fi, CBRS LTE, and traditional small cells.