Comsol Networks
South African licensed-spectrum Fixed Wireless Access and Private Network operator serving enterprises, SMEs, mining, and education across 200+ metros via an open-access mmWave and 3.7GHz network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersGauteng, South Africa
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Comsol Networks does
Comsol Networks is a South African licensed-spect
Comsol Networks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Comsol Networks
- Legal name
- Comsol Networks (Pty) Ltd
- Website
- https://comsol.co.za
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- South African licensed-spectrum Fixed Wireless Access and Private Network operator serving enterprises, SMEs, mining, and education across 200+ metros via an open-access mmWave and 3.7GHz network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Comsol Networks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fixed Wireless Access Telecommunications
- NAICS
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Radiotelephone Communications (4812), Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Communications Services, Nec (4899)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Broadband Providers (HDAIABAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wireless ISPs (WISPs) & Fixed Wireless Access Providers (HDAIADAD), Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) CPE (LTE/5G/mmWave) (HDAFAIAE), Business/Enterprise Fixed Connectivity Providers (SME/Enterprise Broadband) (HDAIABAI)
Keywords
Where Comsol Networks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gauteng
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
Comsol Networks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Managed Connectivity Services: Recurring monthly fees for licensed wireless connectivity services including FWA (CX Premium, CX, CX Specific, CX Offnet) and Private Networks. Services are sold with SLA guarantees and contract terms, with fees invoiced monthly in advance.
- Hardware Sales: Sale of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) including outdoor routers, base stations, and related hardware. Equipment is quoted separately and payable in full before delivery.
- Private Network Solutions: Customised private network solutions for enterprises including Private 5G, Wi-Fi, and high-capacity on-campus connectivity. Implementation services and ongoing managed services.
- Professional Services: Installation, site assessment, and custom network configuration services. Additional charges may apply for cherry picker hire, extended cable runs, and other installation requirements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | CX 5G FWA - Business-grade 5G Fixed Wireless Access |
| Subscription | Monthly | CX Premium - Point-to-Multipoint licensed wireless |
| Subscription | Monthly | CX Premium Plus - Point-to-Point dedicated connection |
| Subscription | Monthly | CX - Point-to-Multipoint for growing businesses |
| Subscription | Monthly | CX Specific - Customised PtP configuration |
| Subscription | Monthly | CX Offnet - Partnership-based connectivity |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Comsol Networks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Comsol Networks provides licensed Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) connectivity solutions to South African businesses using its own 28 GHz mmWave spectrum and a self-built Carrier Ethernet network. The offering spans tiered broadband plans (CX Premium Plus, CX Premium, CX, CX Specific, CX Offnet, CX 5G FWA) plus complementary managed services including Private 5G, Wi-Fi, LPWAN/LoRaWAN, Edu-Smart, and Broadband Lite, aimed at enterprises, SMEs, and vertical sectors such as mining, logistics, and education.
Product overview
Comsol Networks operates a unified licensed-wireless infrastructure platform providing Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), Private Networks, and IoT connectivity. The core FWA portfolio spans four product tiers: CX Premium Plus (Point-to-Point, up to 1000 Mbps), CX Premium (Point-to-Multipoint, up to 100 Mbps), CX (Point-to-Multipoint broadband for growing businesses), CX Specific (custom PtP up to 10 Gbps for remote areas), and CX Offnet (flexible partner-extended connectivity). These are complemented by CX 5G FWA (25-100 Mbps, outdoor CPEs, Gauteng initial launch) and the SME-focused Broadband Lite sub-brand. The Private Networks arm includes Private 5G (resold Ericsson Private 5G), Wi-Fi 6 solutions, and High-Capacity On-Campus Connectivity (up to 10 Gbps, SLA-backed). IoT offerings rest on Africa's largest LoRaWAN LPWAN, with Managed Connectivity and SD-WAN overlay completing the suite. All FWA products are delivered over licensed mmWave (28GHz) and 3.7GHz spectrum on an open-access, MEF 2.0-compliant, Layer 2 network spanning 200+ metros.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CX Premium: Flagship licensed-band wireless solution offering PtMP and PtP options with symmetrical speeds from 10 Mbps to 1000 Mbps.
- CX
- CX Specific
- CX Offnet
- CX 5G FWA
- Private 5G
- Edu-Smart
Products and services
- CX Premium Plus Top-tier Fixed Wireless Access plan offering premium symmetric/asymmetric speeds and SLA guarantees for the most demanding South African enterprise customers.
- CX Premium High-end FWA plan for enterprises needing strong throughput and committed SLA terms.
- CX Core mid-tier FWA connectivity plan for South African business customers.
- CX Specific Tailored FWA connectivity package built to specific customer requirements for enterprises and vertical operators.
- CX Offnet FWA-style connectivity offering extended beyond Comsol's owned footprint to reach additional customer sites.
- CX 5G FWA 5G-based Fixed Wireless Access plan offering the latest-generation wireless broadband speeds to South African businesses.
- Private 5G Private 5G network solution providing dedicated cellular connectivity for enterprises and vertical sites such as mines, campuses, and industrial facilities.
- Wi-Fi Solutions Managed business Wi-Fi offering for offices, retail, hospitality, and campus environments, integrated with Comsol connectivity.
- LPWAN/LoRaWAN Low-Power Wide-Area Network connectivity based on LoRaWAN for IoT and machine-to-machine applications across dispersed industrial sites.
- Edu-Smart Connectivity bundle tailored for South African schools and education campuses, combining wireless access with education-oriented service features.
- Broadband Lite Entry-level business broadband plan designed for small businesses and lighter-usage customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 6-8 business days installation timeframe for point-to-multipoint connections vs fibre delays
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Comsol Networks
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Comsol Networks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Comsol Networks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- EricssoncoreVendor agreement giving Comsol the right to resell Ericsson's high-speed wireless networking solution, Ericsson Private 5G, as Comsol expands its enterprise business within South Africa's mining industry.
- Samsung South AfricaflagshipSamsung and Comsol collaborated on South Africa's first 5G pilot network on Vilakazi Street in Soweto. Samsung provided 5G end-to-end FWA solutions including outdoor routers (CPEs), 5G Radio base stations with mmWave RFICs, and ASIC-based 5G modems. Goal was commercial 5G rollout in 2019.
- VerizonflagshipCollaboration with global technology giant Verizon to launch 5G fixed wireless trials in South Africa. Comsol leveraged Verizon's leadership in developing the 5G Technology Forum and testing/deploying 5G residential broadband over mmWave spectrum. Used Verizon's 5GTF standard.
- Dark Fibre AfricacoreProvided fibre backhaul for the 5G pilot network on Vilakazi Street, connecting Comsol's wireless infrastructure to broader network backbone.
- MWebcoreInternet service provider partner for 5G pilot network on Vilakazi Street, offering connectivity services to end customers.
- IP InfusioncoreProvided Network Operating System (NOS) called OcNOS for TIP-incubated DCSG solution trial. IP Infusion enables disaggregated networking solutions for carriers and service providers.
- Edgecore NetworkscoreProvided hardware for TIP DCSG trial. Edgecore delivers wired and wireless networking products through channel partners and system integrators, specializing in open networking with OCP Accepted switches.
- Infin8AfricacoreProvided integration services for TIP DCSG trial. South African technology solutions provider focusing on Sub-Saharan market, delivering solutions to Telcos, ISPs, Mobile Operators, and Large Enterprises. One of first TIP Partners in Africa.
- Telecom Infra Project (TIP)coreTIP is a global community driving infrastructure solutions to advance connectivity. Comsol completed trial of TIP's Disaggregated Cell Site Gateway (DCSG) solution developed within TIP's Open Optical & Packet Transport Project Group.
- Nelson Mandela UniversitycoreConnected approximately 55 off-campus residences to the university's main core network across Port Elizabeth. Built robust ring network ensuring connectivity for 28,000+ students, particularly crucial during COVID-19 remote learning shift.
- The Love Trust / Nokuphila SchoolminorCommunity partnership providing enterprise-grade wireless connectivity to Nokuphila School in Tembisa. Connected new preschool and teacher training academy with WiFi, IP telephony, and security services.
- Altech FleetcallminorEmergency partnership during 2017 Knysna fires. Comsol deployed carrier-grade licensed network within 24 hours to connect Fleetcall's site to main hub, enabling radio communications for emergency response teams.
- SaicomcoreChannel partner using Comsol's network for resilient wireless connectivity solutions. Partnership enables Saicom to extend enterprise-grade performance promises to their customers.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Comsol Networks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- MWeb: South African ISP that has partnered with Comsol on the 5G pilot and is also a customer/partner in the open-access ecosystem; relevant as an indirect channel and competitive ISP benchmarking point.
Direct peers
- VOX Telecom: South African business-focused ISP and managed connectivity provider offering fibre, wireless, and SD-WAN to SMEs and enterprises; comparable channel partner profile and target customer segments to Comsol.
- Rain (formerly iBurst): South African 5G Fixed Wireless Access provider that competes head-to-head with Comsol's CX 5G FWA and CX products for both SME and consumer broadband customers in the same metro footprint.
- Herotel (formerly i3 Africa / Herotel Wireless): One of South Africa's largest fixed wireless and fibre providers, offering business and residential connectivity in smaller towns and rural areas — directly overlapping Comsol's coverage and target market.
- Dark Fibre Africa (DFA): Open-access fibre infrastructure provider in South Africa, directly comparable to Comsol's open-access model; provides fibre backhaul to Comsol's network and competes in last-mile enterprise connectivity.
Broad incumbents
- Telkom SA: South Africa's incumbent fixed-line operator, owning Openserve fibre infrastructure; competes in the same enterprise and SME connectivity market with broader product and bundle offerings.
- Vodacom: Largest South African mobile operator with growing enterprise fixed-connectivity and 5G offerings, serving the same enterprise and SME customer base as Comsol with much broader scale and bundling.
- MTN South Africa: Major mobile operator with enterprise connectivity, 5G and fixed wireless ambitions; competes with Comsol for enterprise and SME customers, particularly in the mining sector.
- Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid South Africa): Pan-African fibre and cloud operator with wholesale and enterprise offerings; competes with Comsol in enterprise connectivity, particularly across cross-border and large enterprise deals.
Regional players
- Seacom: Submarine cable and pan-African connectivity provider extending into enterprise fibre and wireless; comparable in serving enterprise customers with carrier-grade connectivity across Southern Africa.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Comsol Networks social profiles
Digital presenceComsol Networks compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Comsol Networks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Comsol Networks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Comsol Networks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Comsol Networks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Comsol Networks
What does Comsol Networks do?
Comsol Networks provides licensed Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) connectivity solutions to South African businesses using its own 28 GHz mmWave spectrum and a self-built Carrier Ethernet network. The offering spans tiered broadband plans (CX Premium Plus, CX Premium, CX, CX Specific, CX Offnet, CX 5G FWA) plus complementary managed services including Private 5G, Wi-Fi, LPWAN/LoRaWAN, Edu-Smart, and Broadband Lite, aimed at enterprises, SMEs, and vertical sectors such as mining, logistics, and education.
Is Comsol Networks a public or private company?
Comsol Networks is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Comsol Networks founded?
Comsol Networks was founded in 1997. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Comsol Networks based?
Comsol Networks is headquartered in Gauteng, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Comsol Networks make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Managed Connectivity Services are the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales, private Network Solutions and professional Services.
Who are Comsol Networks's main competitors?
MWeb is listed as an others. Direct peers are VOX Telecom, Rain (formerly iBurst), Herotel (formerly i3 Africa / Herotel Wireless) and Dark Fibre Africa (DFA). Broad incumbents are Telkom SA, Vodacom, MTN South Africa and Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid South Africa). Seacom is listed as a regional player.
Does Comsol Networks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Comsol Networks.
What industry is Comsol Networks in?
Comsol Networks's product category is Fixed Wireless Access Telecommunications. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIABAE, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Broadband Providers, with a secondary code of HDAIADAD, Wireless ISPs (WISPs) & Fixed Wireless Access Providers. Its NAICS code is 517112 and its SIC code is 3576.