sysmocom systems for mobile communications

What sysmocom systems for mobile communications does

sysmocom - systems for mobile communications GmbH is a Berlin-based private GmbH founded in March 2011 by Harald Welte and Holger Freyther. The company serves small MNOs, MVNOs, campus/private network operators, research institutions, railway (GSM-R) testing labs, M2M/IoT device manufacturers, and rural connectivity projects that find incumbent telecom equipment vendors (Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei) uneconomical or inaccessible. Its core product lines are organized into four categories: cellular base stations (sysmoBTS 1002/1002OD/1020/2100), cellular network infrastructure software (the Osmocom CNI suite covering OsmoMSC, OsmoBSC, OsmoHLR, OsmoSGSN, OsmoGGSN, OsmoMGW, OsmoPCU, OsmoBTS, OsmoHNBGW, OsmoGbProxy, OsmoSTP and OsmoSIP connector, plus sysmoCNA hardware), lab and testing solutions (sysmoNITB Starter Kit with multi-RAT support, sysmoQMOD, Osmocom icE1usb, modem breakout boards, RF test equipment), and SIM card technology (programmable sysmoISIM-SJA5 with 3GPP Release 17 support, sysmoEUICC1 eUICC, bulk-customized SIMs, SIMtrace2, and multi-slot readers). The company integrates with Open5GS for 4G/5G core and srsRAN.

The business operates on a hybrid model: enterprise core products are sold as project business with bespoke configuration and integration services priced on inquiry, while a webshop at shop.sysmocom.de handles off-the-shelf accessories, sample quantities of SIM/eUICC products, and standardized lab hardware. Revenue is generated through hardware sales (base stations, SIM cards, lab equipment, accessories), professional services (custom R&D, security audits and penetration testing of GSM/UMTS/LTE/5G, training, consulting), and software support/integration for Osmocom. Most software is released under GNU AGPL with no per-subscriber or per-throughput licensing fees. sysmocom is the principal commercial entity behind the Osmocom FOSS community, founded and funded by its original founders without VC backing, and has grown to approximately 20 employees as of April 2023 with a relocated Berlin headquarters at Siemensstr. 26a since April 2024.

Name

sysmocom systems for mobile communications

Legal name

sysmocom - systems for mobile communications GmbH

Website

https://sysmocom.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

sysmocom is a Berlin-based founder-funded GmbH that supplies open source cellular network infrastructure (Osmocom CNI), sysmoBTS base stations, programmable SIM/eUICC cards, and lab/test solutions to small MNOs, MVNOs, campus networks, and research institutions underserved by incumbent telecom vendors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Telecommunications Infrastructure

NAICS

Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334290)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Cell & DAS Deployment (Pole/Street Furniture, In-Building DAS) (IMAFAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fault & Performance Monitoring (SNMP/Telemetry/APM for Networks) (HDAFAMAA)

Keywords

• Cellular network infrastructure
• Open source telecom software
• GSM base stations
• SIM card technology
• Private mobile networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Cellular Hardware Products: Sale of cellular base stations (sysmoBTS product line), SIM cards, eUICC products, lab solutions, and accessories. Products sold via project business for enterprise/customers or via web shop for standard accessories.
2. Professional Services: Custom R&D, consulting, training, security audits (penetration testing of GSM/UMTS/LTE/5G protocols), protocol tracers/analyzers, back-haul protocol optimization, circuit design, and firmware/software development.
3. Software Support and Integration: Support services for Osmocom open source software, software integration services, and customization of cellular network infrastructure deployments.
4. Customized SIM Cards: Bulk customization of SIM cards with operator-specific profiles, artwork printing. Minimum order quantity typically 1,000 units for customized products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

sysmocom develops, manufactures and sells cellular network infrastructure products and software for small MNOs, MVNOs, research institutions and private network operators. The portfolio spans proprietary cellular base stations (sysmoBTS line), Osmocom-based cellular network infrastructure software (CNI suite covering BSC/MSC/HLR/SGSN/GGSN/MGW/PCU/STP/SIP connector), programmable SIM/USIM/ISIM and eUICC cards, and a wide range of lab/test solutions. The company also provides custom R&D, consulting, training, and security audit services for 2G/3G/4G/5G cellular networks.

Product overview

sysmocom provides a comprehensive portfolio of cellular network infrastructure products and services for small MNOs, MVNOs, research institutions, and private network operators. The offering is organized into Cellular Base Stations (sysmoBTS product line: 1002, 1002OD, 1020, 2100), Cellular Network Infrastructure (Osmocom CNI software suite including OsmoMSC, OsmoBSC, OsmoHLR, OsmoSGSN, OsmoGGSN, OsmoMGW, OsmoPCU, OsmoBTS, OsmoHNBGW, OsmoGbProxy, OsmoSTP, OsmoSIP connector, plus sysmoCNA hardware), Lab Solutions (sysmoNITB Starter Kit with multi-RAT support, sysmoQMOD, Osmocom icE1usb, M.2/miniPCIe modem breakout boards, RF test equipment, ngff-cardem), and SIM Card Technology (sysmoISIM-SJA5/SJA2 programmable SIM cards, sysmoEUICC1 eUICC for eSIM in MFF2 solder or plastic form-factors, customized bulk SIM cards, SIMtrace2 protocol analyzer, multi-slot SIM readers, MFF2 adapters). The company also provides custom R&D, consulting, training, and security audit services. Most software is released as Free/Open Source Software under GNU AGPL license.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• sysmoBTS 1002 Small-form-factor, low-power single TRX GSM base station with integrated BSC capability, offering supreme cost efficiency for rural networks, R&D labs, production testing, and private GSM networks. Supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE.
• sysmoBTS 1002OD Outdoor version of sysmoBTS 1002 with IP67 rating. Low-power single TRX GSM BTS for pole mounting with Power over Ethernet (PoE) support.

Quantifiable outcome

• No license fees based on subscriber numbers or network throughput
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OsmocomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOsmocom is a non-profit, community-driven project creating various FOSS projects related to mobile communications. sysmocom is the main commercial entity related to Osmocom, founded by Harald Welte who also founded Osmocom. sysmocom funds Osmocom through server hosting, developer conferences, and code contributions. The Osmocom Cellular Network Infrastructure is the most popular/well-known Osmocom project.
• Open5GScoreTechnology or IntegrationOpen5GS is an open source implementation of 4G and 5G Core Network. sysmocom is a contributor and donor to the Open5GS project and provides commercial support and services around Open5GS. Open5GS is integrated into sysmoNITB Starter Kit with 4G option.
• Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE)minorOtherssysmocom supports FSFE as a Supporter to promote digital freedom, privacy and security. FSFE logo appears on sysmocom website.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Open5GS: Open-source 4G/5G core network implementation that sysmocom supports as a contributor, donor, and commercial integrator. Direct overlap in the open-source cellular core stack and a formal technology partnership; sysmocom integrates Open5GS into its sysmoNITB Starter Kit.
• Fairwaves: Builder of small-scale, low-cost GSM/LTE cellular equipment targeted at rural and emerging-market connectivity. Closely comparable niche (cost-efficient small cellular networks) and customer profile (community/rural operators) to sysmocom's rural communications segment.
• Parallel Wireless: OpenRAN cellular solutions provider serving mobile operators and private network deployments globally. Comparable in targeting open, software-centric cellular infrastructure, but at much larger scale and with full end-to-end 2G/3G/4G/5G offerings.
• srsRAN (Software Radio Systems): Open-source 4G/5G radio access network (RAN) software stack. Direct open-source cellular peer with technology partnership; sysmocom bundles and provides commercial integration around srsRAN alongside its Osmocom stack.
• Range Networks: Open-source GSM/4G core network and BTS provider historically targeting small operators and rural deployments. Direct historical competitor in open-source cellular infrastructure with similar enterprise/MNO customer base.

Emerging players

• Celona: Private 5G/LTE network platform for enterprise and industrial use cases. Comparable target market (campus/enterprise private cellular) but delivers a managed, turnkey platform rather than open-source infrastructure.
• Athonet (HPE Aruba Networking): Private 4G/5G mobile core platform acquired by HPE. Directly comparable as a private cellular core provider for enterprises and industrial verticals, now backed by HPE's global distribution and support.
• JMA Wireless: Provider of private cellular (CBRS), DAS, and wireless infrastructure for enterprise and venue customers. Comparable in addressing private/campus cellular networks and offering radio + core solutions, but with broader commercial product portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Nokia: Global telecom equipment incumbent with Nokia Modular Private Wireless and full RAN-to-core portfolio. Comparable end-to-end cellular infrastructure capability, competing for the same private/campus network RFPs sysmocom addresses for SMEs and small MNOs.
• Ericsson: Global incumbent telecom equipment vendor with end-to-end 2G/3G/4G/5G portfolio plus growing private cellular (Ericsson Private 5G) offerings. Represents the vendor class sysmocom explicitly positions against; comparable in cellular infrastructure but vastly larger scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sysmocom
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sysmocom---systems-for-mobile-communications-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about sysmocom systems for mobile communications