Star Microwave
Star Microwave is a 30+ year-old, privately-held value-added reseller and independent service center based in Fremont, California, selling, repairing, and refurbishing multi-vendor microwave radio equipment for telecommunications carriers, utilities, enterprises, and ISPs in North America and Latin America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersFremont, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Star Microwave firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Star Microwave
- Legal name
- Star Microwave Service Corporation
- Website
- https://starmicrowave.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Star Microwave is a 30+ year-old, privately-held value-added reseller and independent service center based in Fremont, California, selling, repairing, and refurbishing multi-vendor microwave radio equipment for telecommunications carriers, utilities, enterprises, and ISPs in North America and Latin America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Star Microwave is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fremont
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Star Microwave business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Sale of new and reconditioned microwave radio equipment, spare parts, modules, and accessories from multiple manufacturers including Harris, Aviat, Alcatel, Proxim, Exalt, and others
- Repair Services: In-house repair services including fast-turnaround repairs, reconditioning, retuning, and modifications of legacy radio equipment with rigorous testing to manufacturer specifications
- Asset Recovery: Equipment buy-back, trade-in, and asset recovery services to maximize customer ROI on existing equipment
- Training Services: Hands-on training services provided at customer facilities or at Star Microwave locations
- Extended Warranties: Extended warranty options for repaired and reconditioned equipment
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Star Microwave product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Star Microwave is a global value-added reseller (VAR) and independent service provider for microwave radio and wireless communications equipment, selling new and reconditioned radios, spare parts, and modules from leading manufacturers (ADTRAN, Alcatel, Aviat, Ceragon, Cisco, DragonWave, Exalt, Harris, Motorola, Nokia, Proxim, Stratex). The company also provides in-house repair, reconditioning, retuning, and modification services (StarRepair), advance exchanges, trade-ins, asset recovery, hands-on training, engineering support, and extended warranties, with deep expertise in legacy and end-of-life equipment.
Product overview
Star Microwave is a multi-vendor microwave equipment value-added reseller (VAR) and service provider founded in 1991. The company operates as a comprehensive solution provider for wireless network infrastructure, offering three core service lines: (1) Equipment Sales – selling new and reconditioned microwave radios and network equipment from manufacturers including ADTRAN, Alcatel, Aviat, DragonWave, Exalt, Harris, Motorola, Nokia, Proxim, and Stratex; (2) Repair Services (StarRepair) – in-house repair, reconditioning, retuning, and modification of legacy microwave equipment performed by factory-trained technicians; and (3) Asset Management – including asset recovery, trade-in services, and advance exchanges. The company also offers Exalt License Upgrades for bandwidth, power output, and AES encryption capabilities, along with technical support, training, and extended warranty options. Star Microwave's product portfolio spans point-to-point microwave radios, T1/E1 to OC-12 Ethernet systems, licensed and unlicensed radios, power rectifiers, dehydrators, and multiplexing equipment serving telecommunications, utilities, enterprise, ISP, education, transportation, broadcast, and government sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- StarRepair: The company's repair and refurbishment service brand for microwave equipment, offering fast-turnaround repairs performed by factory-trained technicians.
Products and services
- Multi-vendor Network Equipment Sales Reselling of new and reconditioned microwave radio equipment, spare parts, modules, and accessories from manufacturers including ADTRAN, Alcatel, Aviat, Ceragon, Cisco, CommScope, DragonWave, Eltek, Exalt, Harris, Motorola, Nokia, Proxim, and Stratex, for telecom service providers, utilities, enterprises, ISPs, and government customers.
- Fast-Turnaround Repair Services (StarRepair) In-house repair, reconditioning, retuning, and modification services for microwave radio equipment performed by factory-trained technicians, with rigorous testing to original manufacturer specifications. Standard turnaround 10 working days; emergency turnaround 2 working days.
- Asset Recovery Services Equipment buy-back services for existing equipment when ready for major overhaul or replacement, allowing customers to recover value from decommissioned or replaced microwave radio infrastructure.
- Advance Exchanges Expedited equipment exchange services allowing customers to receive replacement units while their existing equipment is being repaired, minimizing network downtime.
- Trade-In Services Equipment trade-in credit programs allowing customers to offset costs when upgrading to newer microwave radio equipment.
- Technical Support and Training Hands-on technical support and training services delivered at customer facilities or at Star Microwave's locations, covering wireless network deployment and maintenance.
- Engineering Services Engineering support services for wireless network deployment, expansion, and maintenance, including design assistance and integration for microwave radio systems.
- Extended Warranties Extended warranty options providing ongoing equipment protection beyond standard terms for repaired and reconditioned microwave radio equipment.
- Exalt License Upgrades License upgrades for Exalt wireless radios enabling bandwidth expansion, power output enhancement, and AES encryption capabilities, available as a standalone purchase.
Companies that use Star Microwave
Customer profileSegments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Star Microwave technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Star Microwave partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Aviat NetworkscoreAviat Networks is a leading global provider of wireless transport and access solutions headquartered in Austin, Texas, specializing in microwave and millimeter-wave networking. Star Microwave is a value-added reselling partner offering Aviat products including IRU 600, ODU 600, Eclipse, CTR 8300, and Pasolink IAG3/IAP3. Star Microwave also provides repair services for legacy Aviat equipment.
- Alcatel-Lucent EnterprisecoreAlcatel-Lucent has emerged as a proven leader in scalable, flexible, and powerful microwave radio platforms engineered to 99.999% availability with capacities to OC-12 and 1000bT. Star Microwave resells Alcatel equipment including MDR-4000, 5000, 6000, 8000, 9500, MXC, MPT-HL, MPT-HC, MPR 8, 7705 SAR-8 and other models.
- DragonWavecoreDragonWave is a manufacturer of licensed high-capacity broadband Ethernet products for voice, video and data. Carrier-class, native Ethernet platforms up to 800 Mbps with ultra low latency. Star Microwave resells DragonWave products including AirPair, AirPair Unite, Horizon, Horizon Duo, and APX/SDU.
- Exalt CommunicationscoreExalt Communications engineers scalable, intelligent, reliable unlicensed microwave systems designed to reduce overall cost of ownership. Star Microwave is an Authorized Repair Center for Exalt and repairs all their products. They resell Exalt products including EX-5i, EX-6i, EX-11i, EX-s, r-Series, ExtendAir, ExploreAir, ExtremeAir and ExtendAir G2 Radios.
- Harris FarinoncoreHarris Farinon radios are the standard in the industry. Star Microwave supports all End-of-Life (EOL) equipment as well as current manufactured products. They have over 16 years of expertise repairing and reconditioning Harris Microwave and Broadcast equipment, and carry the largest inventory of EOL radios and parts outside of the manufacturer. Products include Constellation, MegaStar, TRuepoint 5000, Microstar, DVM, and others.
- MotorolacoreMotorola is the innovator of point-point and point-multipoint Non-Line-of-Sight solutions in both unlicensed and licensed bands. Star Microwave resells Motorola equipment including TeNSr/800/600 Series, Motorola GTR 8000, Quantar Power Supply TPN 1031A-G and other products.
- NokiacoreStar Microwave resells Nokia (formerly Alcatel) microwave radio equipment including 9500, MXC, MPT-HL, MPT-HC, MPR 8, 7705 SAR-8 and other models.
- Proxim Wireless (Western Multiplex)coreProxim is a Gold reseller and an established leader in point-point unlicensed radios and point-multipoint Wi-Fi and WiMAX systems. Star Microwave continues to repair older Western Multiplex equipment. Products include Tsunami.GX, Lynx.GX, Tsunami MP.11, Tsunami MP.16 WiMAX, Tsunami QuickBridge, and ProximVision Network Management System.
- Stratex Networks (DMC)coreBefore merging with Harris, Stratex was a global leader in wireless transmission network innovation providing specialized wireless solutions deployed in over 100 countries. Harris and Stratex are now Aviat Networks. Star Microwave supports Stratex and DMC legacy equipment including Altium, Spectrum II, XP4, and Velox radios.
- Nera NetworksminorNera Networks provides a unique portfolio of microwave radio solutions for all types of networks and market segments. Their new Evolution Series represents a breakthrough in microwave radio technology.
- Meru NetworksminorFounded in 2002, Meru Networks provides virtualized wireless LAN solutions that cost-effectively optimize enterprise networks to deliver performance, reliability, and operational simplicity of wired networks with mobility advantages.
- Axis CommunicationsminorAxis is an IT company offering network video solutions for professional installations. They are the global market leader in network video, driving the shift from analog to digital video surveillance.
- Aruba NetworksminorAruba is the global leader in distributed enterprise networks providing award-winning portfolio of campus, branch/teleworker, and mobile solutions that simplify operations and secure access to corporate applications regardless of device, location, or network.
- Additional Manufacturers (Ceragon, Bridgewave, Firetide, Radwin, Panasonic)minorStar Microwave maintains relationships with additional microwave and wireless equipment manufacturers including Ceragon, Bridgewave Communications, Firetide, Radwin, and Panasonic for various wireless and networking solutions.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Star Microwave competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Power & Tel: Power & Tel is a specialized distributor of telecommunications equipment, infrastructure, and related supplies serving carriers, ISPs, and utilities across the Americas — directly comparable to Star Microwave's distribution and value-add role.
- RADWIN: RADWIN provides point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless broadband solutions for telcos, ISPs, and enterprises. Star Microwave maintains a partnership with RADWIN, and both target the same wireless backhaul and access customer base.
- Cambium Networks: Cambium Networks designs fixed wireless broadband and backhaul solutions, including point-to-point microwave radios used by service providers and enterprises. It competes for the same wireless backhaul budgets Star Microwave's customers deploy.
- Aviat Networks: Aviat Networks (formed from the Harris/Stratex merger) manufactures and services point-to-point microwave and millimeter wave radios. Star Microwave resells and repairs Aviat equipment, making it both a partner and a direct competitor for legacy microwave service revenue.
- Ceragon Networks: Ceragon is a leading manufacturer of wireless backhaul and fronthaul solutions, including point-to-point microwave radios. Star Microwave is a channel partner for Ceragon while also serving as an independent service provider for its installed base — making Ceragon both an OEM supplier and a directly comparable competitor in the microwave services ecosystem.
- Exalt Communications: Exalt manufactures licensed and unlicensed microwave backhaul systems. Star Microwave is an Authorized Repair Center and reseller for Exalt, putting the two in direct competition for both equipment and service revenue.
- Winncom Technologies: Winncom is a global value-added distributor of wireless networking, broadband, and telecommunications solutions. Like Star Microwave, it serves telcos, ISPs, and enterprises with multi-vendor wireless equipment and services.
- BridgeWave Communications: BridgeWave (now part of REMEC Broadband Wireless) supplies high-capacity millimeter wave and microwave backhaul radios. Star Microwave supports legacy BridgeWave/Nera-class equipment, and the two compete for similar high-capacity backhaul deployments.
- TESSCO Technologies: TESSCO is a value-added distributor and solutions provider for wireless communications equipment, serving carriers, system integrators, and resellers. It is directly comparable to Star Microwave's VAR/integrator role across a broader wireless product portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Nokia (Microwave Solutions): Nokia's microwave business (formerly Alcatel-Lucent) is one of the largest global suppliers of microwave backhaul radios. As Star Microwave resells Nokia microwave equipment and supports Nokia/Alcatel legacy gear, Nokia is both a supplier and a broad incumbent competing for the same end-customer capex.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Star Microwave social profiles
Digital presenceStar Microwave financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Star Microwave leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Star Microwave subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Star Microwave funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Star Microwave 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 Star Microwave
What does Star Microwave do?
Star Microwave is a global value-added reseller (VAR) and independent service provider for microwave radio and wireless communications equipment, selling new and reconditioned radios, spare parts, and modules from leading manufacturers (ADTRAN, Alcatel, Aviat, Ceragon, Cisco, DragonWave, Exalt, Harris, Motorola, Nokia, Proxim, Stratex). The company also provides in-house repair, reconditioning, retuning, and modification services (StarRepair), advance exchanges, trade-ins, asset recovery, hands-on training, engineering support, and extended warranties, with deep expertise in legacy and end-of-life equipment.
Is Star Microwave a public or private company?
Star Microwave is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Star Microwave founded?
Star Microwave was founded in 1991. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Star Microwave based?
Star Microwave is headquartered in Fremont, United States, in the North America region.
How does Star Microwave make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are repair Services, asset Recovery, training Services and extended Warranties.
Who are Star Microwave's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Power & Tel, RADWIN, Cambium Networks, Aviat Networks, Ceragon Networks, Exalt Communications, Winncom Technologies, BridgeWave Communications and TESSCO Technologies. Nokia (Microwave Solutions) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Star Microwave have an API?
No public API is recorded for Star Microwave.