Open Reality, a value-added distributor of cellular, wireless and networking solutions, has announced a new strategic partnership with GXC, a private 5G network solutions provider.
This partnership will enable Open Reality to exclusively distribute GXC’s private 5G network technology to IT resellers and MSPs across the UK. The collaboration marks the next step in Open Reality’s expansion into the 5G market, following its recent partnership with Teltonika Networks to distribute 5G routers and gateways.
By offering GXC’s private 5G solutions, Open Reality enables UK channel partners to capitalise on the growing demand for private 5G networks across different industries, such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and smart cities.
With the global shift towards digitalisation and Industry 4.0, private 5G networks are increasingly seen as a game-changer for organisations seeking to build more secure, scalable and high-performance communication infrastructures. Unlike public 5G networks, which are designed for consumer mobile use, private 5G networks offer dedicated bandwidth, enhanced security and ultra-low latency, making them ideal for industries where real-time data, reliability and security are critical.
“Many industries are coming to the realisation that private 5G networks are best suited to meet the reliability, security and performance requirements that are necessary to support advanced IoT and Industry 4.0 business applications,” explained Sean Horan, GXC’s executive vice president of global enterprise sales.
“Our partnership with Open Reality allows us to equip the UK channel with a best-in-class 5G solution that will help customers leverage the substantial operational and financial benefits of next generation smart technologies.”
Private 5G networks are especially relevant for sectors that require robust and uninterrupted connectivity. In manufacturing and logistics, private 5G ensures reliable communication between devices and systems, such as robots and autonomous vehicles, operating in industrial environments. In healthcare, private 5G can enable real-time communication between medical devices, allowing for quicker diagnoses and treatments. Smart cities and public safety applications also stand to benefit from the increased security and real-time responsiveness that private 5G offers.
While private 5G networks provide advantages in specific use cases, they do not compete with Wi-Fi networks, but rather complement them. Wi-Fi provides general enterprise connectivity, offering cost-effective and scalable wireless access for users. However, for mission-critical applications where guaranteed performance and security are paramount, private 5G networks are the optimal choice.
“Wi-Fi and private 5G networks each have their strengths, and the two technologies can coexist to provide businesses with a comprehensive wireless strategy,” said Craig Charles, sales director of Open Reality. “Our goal is to enable our partners to build flexible, high-performance networks for their customers, combining the strengths of both technologies to meet diverse requirements.”
Open Reality’s decision to partner with GXC was driven by the need for a private 5G solution specifically designed for the enterprise market, rather than a scaled-down version of telco products. Many private 5G solutions from established telecom providers are adapted from the same complex platforms they offer to carriers. While these solutions are robust, they often include a wide range of features that cater to public networks, making them overly complicated for businesses seeking a simpler, more streamlined deployment.
“Telecom-grade private 5G solutions are often loaded with unnecessary complexity for enterprises,” said Charles. “They have multiple management consoles and layers of administration because they’re built to serve carrier needs. Our partners have made it clear that they want something more intuitive, which is why GXC stood out to us.”
GXC built its private 5G solution from the ground up specifically for the enterprise market. One of the key advantages of GXC’s platform is that it features an integrated management console with a look and feel similar to a Wi-Fi management system. This familiar interface will resonate with IT resellers and MSPs who are already experienced with managing enterprise Wi-Fi networks, lowering the barriers to adopting 5G technology.
“GXC’s design philosophy aligns perfectly with what our partners need: simplicity and integration,” said Charles. “Their platform makes deploying private 5G as easy as deploying a Wi-Fi network, which will have enormous appeal for our partners who are interested in 5G but worried about its complexity, allowing them to enter the 5G space with confidence.”
Another key feature of GXC’s solution is its patented Cellular Mesh technology, which enables businesses to extend their private 5G coverage without the need for additional data cabling. This simplifies network expansion, making it easier and more cost-effective to increase coverage in large or challenging environments such as factories, warehouses and campuses. This capability is a major differentiator in the market and was one of the key factors in Open Reality’s decision to partner with GXC.
Open Reality also valued that GXC is exclusively focused on private cellular. Its singular focus on private cellular ensures that its resources and innovation are dedicated to refining their LTE/5G solutions.
“We liked the fact that GXC is 100 per cent focused on private cellular,” said Charles. “They’re not distracted by hundreds of other product lines or competing technologies. That focus ensures that their private 5G solutions are the best in the market, which gives us and our partners confidence in the product.”