Globalstar's Band n53 spectrum has emerged as a pivotal asset, offering operators a unique opportunity to enhance their network capabilities. Hawk Networks, through its innovative Althea platform, is at the forefront of leveraging Band n53 to unlock new possibilities for operators.
Understanding Band n53: A Unique Spectrum Opportunity
Band n53 is a mid-band spectrum in the 2483.5-2495 MHz range, offering 11.5 MHz of bandwidth. Unlike many mid-band spectrums, Band n53 is not owned by any wireless operator, making it a rare and valuable resource for integrators, enterprises, governments, carriers, and cable companies. It's Time-Division Duplexing (TDD) nature requires only a single frequency band for both uplink and downlink, enhancing its efficiency and appeal for various applications.
Advantages of Band n53 for Operators
For operators seeking to expand or enhance their networks, Band n53 offers several compelling benefits:
Interference-Free Capacity: Band n53 provides interference-free capacity for small-cell deployment in high-potential markets, allowing operators to enhance network performance without overbuilding or interfering with existing services.
Private Network Deployment: Band n53 allows operators to deploy private networks requiring strong security, reliable performance, and high capacity. This is particularly beneficial for applications in industrial plants, ports, warehouses, and critical infrastructure.
Global Availability: Globalstar is authorized to operate or license Band n53 for private wireless networks in multiple countries, including the United States and Canada. This provides operators with a uniform spectrum resource across various geographies.
A Reliable Anchor for Network Expansion: Band n53 serves as a crucial reliability layer when used alongside CBRS. In congested CBRS markets, Band n53 acts as an "anchor" spectrum, ensuring mission-critical connectivity even during spectrum-sharing events that may impact CBRS. This combination—coined as "CBR-Yes"—provides both reliability and scalability for operators.
Hawk Networks and the Althea Platform: Revolutionizing Network Deployment
Hawk Networks, as the lead contributor to the Althea ecosystem, has partnered with Globalstar to create a revolutionary connectivity solution that leverages Band n53. This collaboration enables operators to build robust, high-performance networks across various applications, from smart farms to underserved broadband areas.
Althea Core: Seamless Integration with Band n53
At the heart of this innovation is the Althea-powered KeyLTE/5G Core, a powerful LTE/5G stack that seamlessly integrates with Band n53. This integration allows operators to build high-capacity LTE and 5G networks without the congestion and limitations associated with unlicensed spectrum. The KeyLTE/5G Core automates many traditionally labor-intensive processes in network management, such as payment settlements, routing, and bandwidth allocation, through smart contracts. This automation reduces operational overhead, enabling more efficient resource use and making it easier for operators to participate.
Democratizing Access to Licensed Spectrum
Traditionally, access to licensed spectrum was reserved for large telecom entities due to cost and complexity. Through collaboration between Hawk Networks and Globalstar, these barriers have been significantly lowered. Operators of various sizes can now access a comprehensive, off-the-shelf solution that includes the necessary radio equipment, core network components, and licensed spectrum. The leasing process for Band n53 has been streamlined, making it accessible within weeks rather than months or years.
Building Flexible and Inclusive Networks
The Althea platform's flexibility enables operators to build telecom networks tailored to their specific needs. This "right-sizing" approach, combined with off-the-shelf tools, makes deploying broadband or IoT infrastructure both seamless and cost-effective. For instance, a farmer looking to connect cameras, monitoring devices, and smart sensors could build an LTE network at a cost similar to setting up a Wi-Fi network but with superior reliability and flexibility.
Beyond consumer broadband, Band n53 is critical to expanding connectivity for industries such as smart agriculture and energy. Farmers and ranchers are now leveraging private LTE networks for remote monitoring, water resource management, and drone automation. In the energy sector, oil and gas operators are shifting from legacy 900 MHz wireless solutions to Band n53-powered LTE networks, unlocking greater bandwidth and reliability for process automation, security monitoring, and IoT connectivity.
Blockchain-Powered Payments and Real-Time Network Management
Althea's blockchain-powered payment system enables real-time micro-transactions, offering customers a flexible, more personalized experience. Users can adjust their service levels on demand without the constraints of fixed contracts or pricing plans. Additionally, Althea's blockchain architecture enhances network management efficiency. Its smart contracts make decentralized, automated decisions on routing and bandwidth allocation, optimizing network performance in real-time.
The intersection of blockchain, telecom, and fintech is shaping the future of connectivity. Hawk Networks envisions a world where real-time payments power everything from private LTE networks to autonomous systems like smart ports, robotic logistics, and AI-powered industrial automation. This seamless integration of connectivity and financial transactions is a significant leap forward in the machine economy.
Expanding Device and Hardware Ecosystem
The Band n53 ecosystem is rapidly expanding, with increasing device and hardware support. Currently, major radio manufacturers like Nokia and several device partners, including Global Telecom, support Band n53. Notably, Apple’s iPhone 13 and later models natively support Band n53, enabling seamless private LTE deployment for enterprise applications. Additionally, innovations in multi-carrier aggregation are allowing operators to combine Band n53 with Band 48 (CBRS) and Band 41 for enhanced capacity and throughput.
A New Era for Connectivity
As the demand for high-performance private networks and scalable infrastructure continues to grow, operators need solutions that provide efficiency and flexibility. The combination of Band n53 and the Althea platform is setting a new standard for deploying licensed spectrum easily, offering a seamless path to private LTE, 5G, and IoT connectivity without traditional barriers.
By embracing a modular and dynamic approach to spectrum utilization, Hawk Networks is delivering a new level of network control and scalability. This gives operators the power to build customized, future-proof networks on their own terms.
Get Access to Band n53 Today
For those ready to integrate Band n53 into their strategy, access is already available through our trusted distribution partner, Alliance Corporation.
To learn more about how Band n53 and the Althea platform can transform your network, visit Alliance Corporation.
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