Globalstar and Skydio Complete First Drone Flight on Globalstar Band n53TM and XCOM RAN

Key Terms

band n53 technical

Band n53 is a specific radio frequency range designated for 5G mobile networks under the industry’s numbering system; it identifies one slice of the airwaves that carriers and device makers use to send and receive wireless data. Investors watch which bands a carrier or equipment maker uses because particular frequencies affect coverage, speed and device compatibility—think of it like highway lanes: wider or better-placed lanes let more traffic flow faster and reduce congestion, which can influence network performance and revenue potential.

licensed spectrum technical

Licensed spectrum is a set of radio frequencies officially assigned by a government regulator to a single company for exclusive use, typically for mobile phone, broadband, or broadcasting services. It matters to investors because owning these exclusive “lanes” on the airwaves gives a company control over network capacity, coverage and competitive position, and often requires significant upfront and ongoing costs that influence future revenue and profit potential.

private 5g technical

A private 5G network is a company-owned wireless system that uses 5G technology to give an organization its own fast, secure, and low-delay connection, like having a private highway for data instead of using a public road. Investors care because it can boost productivity, enable automation and new services, reduce risk from public networks, and create revenue or cost-saving opportunities for equipment makers, system integrators, and operators building or supporting these networks.

uplink throughput technical

Uplink throughput is the rate at which data can be sent from a device or local site up to a network or cloud, measured as the amount of information transmitted per second. Investors watch it because higher uplink capacity improves how quickly customers can upload files, video calls, backups or sensor data, which affects service quality, customer satisfaction, network demand and potential revenue—think of it as the width of a pipe carrying water away from your house.

Companies validate Skydio’s drones on Globalstar’s licensed spectrum and XCOM RAN private 5G platform for public safety applications

COVINGTON, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Globalstar (NASDAQ: GSAT), a next-generation telecommunications infrastructure and technology provider, today announces the successful completion of a joint technology trial with Skydio, the leading U.S. drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight. The companies validated compatibility between the Skydio X10 and Globalstar’s licensed Band n53 spectrum, as well as Globalstar’s XCOM RAN private 5G platform.

Skydio and Globalstar’s trial evaluated Band n53 and XCOM RAN as a representative, high-performance alternative to traditional Wi-Fi or public cellular networks. Globalstar holds full licensed rights to Band n53, making the spectrum predictable, secure, and immediately available for operational testing. XCOM RAN delivers deterministic performance, high uplink throughput, and robust coherence in dense or challenging environments. Together, they enable reliable command, control, and streaming video performance for airborne operations.

“One of the biggest advantages in this trial was how quickly we were able to integrate Band n53 using an existing module already supported within Globalstar’s ecosystem,” said Skydio CTO Abe Bachrach. “It allowed us to move fast and begin real-world testing very quickly. We are excited about the capabilities XCOM RAN brings and looking forward to future collaboration on both indoor and outdoor use cases.”

“Skydio is one of the most innovative drone companies in the world and their public safety mission requires the most reliable connectivity possible,” said Globalstar CEO Dr. Paul E. Jacobs. “This trial highlights the strength of Band n53 and the XCOM RAN architecture for high performance uplink applications like autonomous drones. We are proud to support a future where first responders have the tools they need to move faster and stay safer.”

About Globalstar, Inc.

Globalstar is a global telecommunications provider connecting what matters most. Through our industry-leading low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation and licensed Band 53/n53 spectrum, we deliver reliable satellite and terrestrial connectivity solutions that empower customers worldwide to connect, transmit, and communicate smarter.

Our comprehensive connectivity ecosystem includes software-defined, purpose-built private wireless network platform, coupled with Globalstar Band 53 in XCOM RAN^TM and trusted GPS messengers Saved by SPOT^TM for safety and personal communication for business and enterprise applications.

Serving business, enterprises, and consumer markets across the globe, Globalstar supports applications that track and protect assets, enable automation, enhance operational efficiency, and safeguard lives. With unmatched reach and a relentless focus on innovation, and mission-critical performance, we're redefining what's possible for global connectivity.

To learn more, visit www.globalstar.com.

About XCOM RAN

XCOM RAN by Globalstar is the next generation in private 5G, designed to support tomorrow’s mission-critical industrial automation requirements. XCOM RAN delivers unprecedented performance by taking a new approach to private 5G that increases capacity by 4x over first generation offerings, enabling flawless connectivity in the densest automation environments.

XCOM RAN can run on the shared spectrum traditionally used for private 5G deployments, but it can also leverage Globalstar’s licensed Band n53 as a dedicated band for worry-free private 5G deployments. Its new Supercell architecture removes the need for site surveys and network design, providing full coverage in industrial environments that can be deployed quickly and easily managed by an enterprise IT team.

To learn more, visit www.xcomran.com.

About Skydio

Skydio is the leading U.S.-based drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight, leveraging breakthrough AI to create the world's most intelligent flying machines for use by public safety, government, utility, and enterprise customers. Skydio designs, assembles, and supports its products in the U.S. from its headquarters in San Mateo, California.

Founded in 2014, Skydio is trusted by industry leaders and backed by top investors and strategic partners, including Andreessen Horowitz, Levitate Capital, Next47, IVP, Playground, and NVIDIA. For more information, follow Skydio on LinkedIn or visit skydio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251216086563/en/

Media Contact:

Alisa Moloney

Alisa.Moloney@globalstar.com

Source: Globalstar, Inc.