Range Networks
Range Networks provides RangeSDMN, a software-defined cellular base station platform running on commodity Linux servers and SDR hardware, serving entrepreneurs, municipalities, ISPs and research operators in underserved and remote markets worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Range Networks does
Range Networks, headquartered at 2040 Martin Avenue, Santa Clara, California, has pioneered a software-defined approach to cellular networking built around its flagship RangeSDMN (Software Defined Mobile Network) platform. RangeSDMN is feature-complete base station firmware that runs on commodity Linux servers paired with off-the-shelf software-defined radio hardware and amplifiers, eliminating the requirement that base stations, switching centers and core network elements come from a single vendor. The software supports GSM, GPRS, EDGE and UMTS protocols, with multi-carrier capability (up to four concurrent carriers per radio), multi-node and mixed-node (2G/3G) deployment, and WebUI-based configuration that requires no prior Linux expertise. Turn-key hardware is delivered through partner Katela Networks as the GTA (entry-level GSM/GPRS/EDGE BTS, up to 3 ARFCNs, 35W) and GTS (high-performance GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS BTS, up to 8 ARFCNs and 100+ concurrent call legs, 15W or 50W options).
Range Networks monetizes through annual per-network software license subscriptions ($1,100/year for the Network Kickstarter Kit renewal, with commercial licenses quoted through sales), direct e-commerce sales of provisioning accessories (Bludrive II USB SIM Reader/Programmer at $125 and packs of 20 blank SIMs at $125), and partner-delivered professional services via its OEM relationship with Katela Networks. Go-to-market is channel-led: a global affiliate network of system integrators, operators, marketing and regional banking partners covers Mexico, Latin America, Indonesia, the Philippines, France, Northern Africa, Southern Africa and beyond, supplemented by university partnerships with UC Berkeley and UC Santa Barbara on rural deployments in Papua, Indonesia and Southern Zambia. Named customers include GlobalTel (St. Pierre and Miquelon), Smartcel (Mexico), the Macquarie Island Antarctica research station, the Patagonia farmers and ranchers network, and Iceland Search and Rescue, spanning telecommunications, research, agriculture and emergency services use cases on all seven continents.
Range Networks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Range Networks
- Legal name
- Range Networks
- Website
- https://rangenetworks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Range Networks provides RangeSDMN, a software-defined cellular base station platform running on commodity Linux servers and SDR hardware, serving entrepreneurs, municipalities, ISPs and research operators in underserved and remote markets worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Range Networks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Range Networks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Software Licenses (Annual Subscriptions): Range Networks charges annual license fees for their Network Kickstarter Kit software. The license provides access to the latest firmware versions and free upgrades for the entire year. Pricing is per-network, not per-subscriber for commercial deployments.
- Hardware Accessories: Direct sales of hardware accessories including SIM card readers/programmers ($125) and blank SIM cards ($125) through their online store.
- Partner Services and Support: Turn-key hardware partners like Katela Networks provide packaged hardware solutions with Range software plus support, training, and implementation services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Network Kickstarter Kit 1-Year License Renewal |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels2 records
Range Networks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Range Networks develops and licenses RangeSDMN, a software-defined mobile network platform that turns commodity Linux servers and off-the-shelf software-defined radios into cellular base stations supporting GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS. It sells annual software licenses (Network Kickstarter Kit at $1,100/year renewal) and accessories (SIM programmers, blank SIMs), while turn-key base stations (GTA, GTS) are delivered through hardware partner Katela Networks and the global partner channel.
Product overview
Range Networks offers a software-centric approach to mobile network deployment built around its core RangeSDMN (Software Defined Mobile Network) platform. The company provides turn-key hardware solutions including the GTA (entry-level GSM/GPRS/EDGE BTS) and GTS (high-performance GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS BTS) models, both available through hardware partner Katela Networks. The Network Kickstarter Kit bundles software licensing with deployment essentials, while accessories like the Bludrive II SIM programmer and blank SIMs support network provisioning. All products leverage commodity hardware running RangeSDMN software on standard Linux servers with software-defined radio technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RangeSDMN: Software Defined Mobile Network - feature-complete, highly optimized base station firmware for cellular networks, running on Linux servers and commodity hardware.
Products and services
- RangeSDMN (Software Defined Mobile Network)
Quantifiable outcome
- Less than 20% of traditional vendor equipment costs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Range Networks
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Range Networks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Range Networks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Katela NetworkscoreTurn-key hardware partner providing fully packaged and integrated hardware running Range Networks software plus related support, training, and implementation services. Offers GTA (entry level BTS with GSM/GPRS/EDGE, up to 3 ARFCNs, 35W) and GTS (high performance BTS with GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS, up to 8 ARFCNs, 100+ concurrent call legs, 15W and 50W options).
- University of California BerkeleyminorCollaboration on deploying cellular networks to villages in Papua, Indonesia. UC Berkeley engineer spent one day onsite to get network operational. Network was profitable after two months with profits funding a local school.
- University of California Santa BarbaraminorPartnership on rural Zambia deployment where two-tower cellular extension was deployed to expand coverage for 130,000+ people over large area. Water tower and school building used for tower locations; deployment took just two days.
- Marketing Partners (Mexico, Latin America, Indonesia, Philippines, France, Northern Africa)coreMarketing partners located in Mexico, Latin America, Indonesia, Philippines, France, and Northern Africa. Part of extended affiliate network committed to rapid, successful deployment of mobile communications services within 90 days of signed and funded agreements.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Range Networks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Ericsson: Ericsson is a leading incumbent RAN vendor offering Cloud RAN and traditional cellular infrastructure globally. Comparable as a competing cellular infrastructure provider targeting similar operator customers, though at a much larger scale and broader protocol coverage than Range.
- Nokia: Nokia is a traditional incumbent RAN vendor with its AnyRAN portfolio targeting Open RAN and rural connectivity use cases. Comparable as a competing cellular infrastructure provider, though Nokia operates at vastly greater scale and across the full 2G/3G/4G/5G protocol range.
- Huawei: Huawei is a leading incumbent telecom equipment vendor providing end-to-end RAN and core solutions across all generations, including rural coverage initiatives in emerging markets. Comparable as a competing cellular infrastructure vendor, particularly in emerging markets where Range's customer base is concentrated.
Direct peers
- Airspan Networks: Airspan provides small cell and Open RAN solutions for 4G/5G deployments, including rural and dense urban use cases. Comparable as a non-incumbent cellular infrastructure vendor with software-based flexibility, though Airspan targets later-generation protocols.
- JMA Wireless: JMA Wireless offers software-based RAN and indoor/outdoor cellular solutions, including the CellHub and Teko platforms. Comparable as a software-defined cellular infrastructure vendor targeting enterprise, venue, and rural connectivity use cases.
- Mavenir: Mavenir is an Open RAN software vendor offering end-to-end 4G/5G solutions including virtualized RAN, core, and small cells. Comparable as a software-centric alternative to traditional RAN vendors, though significantly larger and broader in scope than Range.
- Parallel Wireless: Parallel Wireless provides Open RAN and software-defined cellular solutions for 2G/3G/4G/5G, targeting rural and underserved markets with a similar disaggregated architecture approach. Most direct competitor to Range Networks in rural cellular software-defined networking.
- Vanu, Inc. Vanu provides software-defined mobile network infrastructure specifically targeted at rural and off-grid markets in emerging economies. Closely comparable in mission, target customer (rural operators and unconnected populations), and software-defined architecture, with overlapping protocol coverage in 2G/3G.
Emerging players
- Druid Software: Druid Software provides cellular core network software (4G/5G core) for private networks and small operators. Comparable as a software-centric cellular vendor enabling non-traditional operators, though Druid focuses on core network software rather than RAN/base stations.
- ip.access: ip.access provides small cell solutions for 2G/3G/4G, with deployments in rural, enterprise, and remote-site environments. Comparable in target markets (small-scale, rural, remote) and product category (small cell cellular infrastructure), but operates a more traditional hardware-plus-software model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Range Networks social profiles
Digital presenceRange Networks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Range Networks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Range Networks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Range 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 Range Networks
What does Range Networks do?
Range Networks develops and licenses RangeSDMN, a software-defined mobile network platform that turns commodity Linux servers and off-the-shelf software-defined radios into cellular base stations supporting GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS. It sells annual software licenses (Network Kickstarter Kit at $1,100/year renewal) and accessories (SIM programmers, blank SIMs), while turn-key base stations (GTA, GTS) are delivered through hardware partner Katela Networks and the global partner channel.
Is Range Networks a public or private company?
Range Networks is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Range Networks founded?
Range Networks was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Range Networks based?
Range Networks is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Range Networks make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses (Annual Subscriptions) is the primary driver. The others are hardware Accessories and partner Services and Support.
Who are Range Networks's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Ericsson, Nokia and Huawei. Direct peers are Airspan Networks, JMA Wireless, Mavenir, Parallel Wireless and Vanu, Inc.. Emerging players are Druid Software and ip.access.
Does Range Networks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Range Networks.