---
title: "Communities: systems and technologies | Nexus Observatory"
description: "Systems and technologies for communities, rural and indigenous connectivity: Exclusive licensed spectrum, Tiered shared access (CBRS-type)…"
url: https://observatory.global/industries/communities/systems/
publisher: Nexus Observatory Inc.
updated: 2026-11-02
---

[Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/)

/

[Communities](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/)

/

**Systems and technologies** 

# The systems behind communities.

The technologies that carry this industry's observations, ranked against what it needs to observe and drawn from across the spectrum.

[Plan a deployment](https://observatory.global/contact/deployment/)

[Use cases](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/use-cases/)

[Open the explainer](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/explainer/)

1. Communities · Systems and technologies Connectivity and observation the community owns Community cellular and broadband, microgrids that keep them on, and local weather, water and ice stations, designed so the community holds the network, the data and the decisions about both. Needs: coverage where carriers do not build, power for remote sites, local weather, water and ice, data governance held by the community and local skills to operate.
2. Platform · Connectivity Private 5G, AI-RAN and orbit, on site Standalone private 5G and O-RAN, AI-RAN on shared accelerated compute, LEO and GEO backhaul and 3GPP direct-to-device, LPWAN and mesh for sensors over kilometres, PTP timing inside the budget, and the spectrum route for each country. Every reading and every change leaves a record that can be checked later. [Connectivity](https://observatory.global/connectivity/)
3. Platform · Sensors & instruments Measurements that carry their own proof Weather and environment stations to WMO practice, RF spectrum sensing in the band, and calibration that is traceable, recorded and repeated. Every value leaves with its metadata, quality flag and provenance. Or buy the observations and leave the hardware to us: Sensing as a Service. [Sensors & instruments](https://observatory.global/sensors/)
4. Platform · Field services Survey to decommission, one accountable crew Ground, RF and power surveyed before anything is chosen, installation and commissioning to the plan, a Managed Site run for you, support by plan, training on your own site, and decommissioning with every part recorded. Changes are versioned, tested and reversible. [Field services](https://observatory.global/field-services/)
5. Platform · Hardware & power Built for the site, not the lab Every reading and every change leaves a record that can be checked later. The same design repeats from the first site to the last. It runs on the open Observatory Protocol, so other providers can join. Crews, software and records stay the same as the network grows. [Hardware & power](https://observatory.global/hardware/)
6. Platform · Data & licensing Grid data, licensed for your use Research, commercial API, enterprise and government tiers, the licence of every source carried through to every product, routes from licensed to open release, and residency fixed by contract. It is delivered and supported by Nexus Observatory Inc. The evidence travels with the data wherever it goes. [Data & licensing](https://observatory.global/data-products/)
7. Platform · Training and enablement Your team runs it. We make sure they can Operator, crew and engineer training on the systems you own, commissioning taught on your own site, enablement for integrators and suppliers, and learning paths from first principles to a commissioned site, each step recorded. Changes are versioned, tested and reversible.
8. How it scales One base unit, repeated A programme starts with one base node and the instruments it reads. A station adds power and radio, a site adds a relay, a fleet repeats the proven site across many places, and a network federates fleets through edge and core. Capacity grows by adding units, never by replacing what works.
9. Updates Updates in rings, with rollback Software and configuration reach the fleet in rings: a canary site first, then a few, then all, each ring gated on health and data completeness. A failed gate stops the wave and returns each node to its last good release, without a site visit.
10. Field service One crew, from survey to repair The same crew surveys, installs, commissions, calibrates and repairs, working from the site's own record. Each visit updates it, so the next crew knows exactly what is there, when it was last checked and why it was changed. Spares and references are planned from that history.
11. Failure and recovery When a node fails, the fleet knows first When a node goes silent or a sensor drifts, the node buffers its data, fails over to a second link where one exists, and the alert carries the evidence a responder needs. Nothing is lost and nothing is counted twice.
12. What you get Municipal sensing and connectivity layers City-wide LPWAN or private 5G as a shared layer for public sensors and services. Delivered as managed service, for cities, regional governments. Scale: City-wide. Service levels are written as numbers you can measure on your own dashboard. Changes are versioned, tested and reversible. [Talk to sales](https://observatory.global/contact/sales-enquiry/)
13. Next step Plan a communities deployment Tell us the sites, the measurements and the people who will use them. We reply with a design and a scope for communities. An engineer replies with a survey proposal and a scope, and the plan grows from one site to the network you need, at your pace. [Plan a deployment](https://observatory.global/contact/deployment/) [Open the Studio](https://observatory.global/studio/) [Read the stories](https://observatory.global/stories/)

**01** AI-RAN and Open RAN

## AI-RAN: shared accelerated infrastructure.

**Frontier** · AI-RAN and Open RAN · AI-RAN: shared accelerated infrastructure

### AI-and-RAN (shared GPU for RAN and AI)

Running the RAN and AI inference on the same accelerated servers, with RAN given priority when traffic needs it.

AI-RAN Alliance AI-and-RAN working group · O-RAN WG6 AAL

**Frontier** · AI-RAN and Open RAN · AI-RAN: shared accelerated infrastructure

### AI-on-RAN (edge AI services on RAN sites)

Hosting third-party and site AI applications on RAN compute close to users and sensors.

AI-RAN Alliance AI-on-RAN working group · ETSI GS MEC 003

**Frontier** · AI-RAN and Open RAN · AI-RAN: shared accelerated infrastructure

### Software-defined L1 on GPUs

Running the full physical layer in software on GPUs instead of fixed-function hardware.

O-RAN WG6 AAL General Aspects and Principles

**Frontier** · AI-RAN and Open RAN · AI-RAN: shared accelerated infrastructure

### RAN-first workload scheduling

Schedulers that protect RAN deadlines and lend idle accelerator time to AI jobs.

O-RAN WG6 O2dms Interface Specification

**Frontier** · AI-RAN and Open RAN · AI-RAN: shared accelerated infrastructure

### Isolation between RAN and AI tenants

Hardware and software isolation so AI tenants cannot affect RAN timing or reach RAN data.

O-RAN WG11 security specifications · IETF RFC 9334 (remote attestation architecture)

AI-RAN and Open RAN · AI-RAN: shared accelerated infrastructure

### AI-for-RAN

Using AI models to improve radio performance, spectral efficiency and operations.

AI-RAN Alliance AI-for-RAN working group · 3GPP TR 38.843

[All 7 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/airan/ai-ran-shared-accelerated-infrastructure/)

**02** 5G and 6G radio access networks

## Private networks and RAN sharing.

5G and 6G radio access networks · Private networks and RAN sharing

### Standalone non-public networks (SNPN)

Fully separate private 5G networks with their own identifiers, core and subscriptions.

3GPP TS 23.501 clause 5.30.2

5G and 6G radio access networks · Private networks and RAN sharing

### Public network integrated NPN (PNI-NPN)

Private networks delivered as slices or DNNs of a public network, with closed access groups.

3GPP TS 23.501 clause 5.30.3

5G and 6G radio access networks · Private networks and RAN sharing

### Neutral host networks

One shared network that serves several operators' subscribers in buildings, campuses or rural corridors.

3GPP TS 23.251 (network sharing) · 3GPP TS 23.501 (SNPN with credentials from a separate entity)

5G and 6G radio access networks · Private networks and RAN sharing

### RAN sharing (MORAN and MOCN)

Operators sharing radios and sometimes spectrum to cut cost in low-density areas.

3GPP TS 23.251 · 3GPP TS 32.130 (network sharing management)

5G and 6G radio access networks · Private networks and RAN sharing

### Industrial 5G LAN and TSN integration

Layer-2 group services and time-sensitive networking bridging for operational technology.

3GPP TS 23.501 clauses 5.27 and 5.29 · 3GPP TS 22.104

5G and 6G radio access networks · Private networks and RAN sharing

### Shared and local spectrum for private networks

CBRS-type tiered access and local licences that let enterprises and communities run their own networks.

FCC 47 CFR Part 96 (CBRS) · ISED non-competitive local licensing framework (3900–3980 MHz)

[All 7 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/ran/private-networks-and-ran-sharing/)

**03** Ground segment

## Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks.

Ground segment · Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks

### Shared antenna networks

Pay-per-pass access to antennas across many sites so missions do not have to build their own.

CCSDS 910.4-B (cross support reference model) · CCSDS 911.1-B (SLE return all frames)

Ground segment · Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks

### Space link extension services

Standard services that deliver frames and accept commands between a ground station and a remote mission centre.

CCSDS 911.1-B (RAF) · CCSDS 911.2-B (RCF) · CCSDS 912.1-B (forward CLTU)

Ground segment · Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks

### Pass scheduling and resource management

Booking, deconfliction and configuration of antennas and modems for each contact.

CCSDS cross support service management

Ground segment · Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks

### High-latitude and polar ground sites

Northern sites that see polar-orbiting satellites on most orbits and cut data latency.

ITU RR Appendix 7 · Rec. ITU-R P.618

Ground segment · Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks

### Ground segment cybersecurity

Access control, segmentation, monitoring and recovery for command and control systems.

NIST IR 8401 (satellite ground segment and the Cybersecurity Framework) · ISO/IEC 27001

Ground segment · Ground-station-as-a-service and antenna networks

### Federated and hybrid ground networks

Combining owned, partner and agency antennas behind one scheduling and data interface.

CCSDS 910.4-B (cross support reference model)

[All 7 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/ground/ground-station-as-a-service-and-antenna-networks/)

**04** Spectrum, timing and PNT

## Spectrum regimes and access.

Spectrum, timing and PNT · Spectrum regimes and access

### Exclusive licensed spectrum

Auctioned or assigned spectrum licences with defined areas, terms and conditions, used for public mobile networks.

ITU RR Art. 5 (table of frequency allocations) · Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations (ISED)

Spectrum, timing and PNT · Spectrum regimes and access

### Tiered shared access (CBRS-type)

Spectrum shared between incumbents, priority licensees and general users under a spectrum access system.

FCC 47 CFR Part 96 · WINNF-TS-0112 (CBRS operational and functional requirements)

Spectrum, timing and PNT · Spectrum regimes and access

### Local and light licensing

Low-cost, area-limited licences that let enterprises, communities and Indigenous and rural operators run their own networks.

ISED non-competitive local licensing framework (3900–3980 MHz, 26/28/38 GHz) · ISED CPC-2-1-31 (NCL licence application procedures)

Spectrum, timing and PNT · Spectrum regimes and access

### Licence-exempt bands

2.4, 5 and 6 GHz and other bands used by Wi-Fi, short-range devices and IoT under equipment rules.

ISED RSS-247 (DTS and FHSS) · ISED RSS-248 (6 GHz RLAN) · ETSI EN 300 328 (2.4 GHz)

Spectrum, timing and PNT · Spectrum regimes and access

### TV white space and database-controlled access

Opportunistic use of unused broadcast channels for rural broadband and long-range links.

ISED RSS-222 (white space devices) · IEEE 802.22

Spectrum, timing and PNT · Spectrum regimes and access

### Spectrum for fixed links

Licensed point-to-point bands and channel plans for microwave and E-band backhaul.

Rec. ITU-R F.746 · ISED Standard Radio System Plans (SRSP)

[All 9 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/timing/spectrum-regimes-and-access/)

**05** 5G and 6G radio access networks

## Macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters.

5G and 6G radio access networks · Macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters

### Macro sites

Tower and rooftop base stations that carry wide-area coverage and most traffic.

3GPP TS 38.104 (BS radio transmission and reception) · ANSI/TIA-222 (antenna supporting structures) · CSA S37 (antennas, towers and antenna-supporting structures)

5G and 6G radio access networks · Macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters

### Small cells

Medium-range and local-area base stations for capacity hotspots, streets, campuses and indoor spaces.

3GPP TS 38.104 (medium range and local area BS classes) · Small Cell Forum SCF222 (5G FAPI PHY API)

5G and 6G radio access networks · Macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters

### Distributed antenna systems

Passive, active and digital DAS that spread one or more operators' signals through buildings, tunnels and venues.

3GPP TS 38.106 (NR repeater radio) · IEC 62232 (RF field strength near base stations)

5G and 6G radio access networks · Macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters

### Repeaters and network-controlled repeaters

RF repeaters, including beam- and TDD-aware repeaters controlled by the gNB, for low-cost coverage extension.

3GPP TS 38.106 (NR repeater) · 3GPP TR 38.867 (network-controlled repeaters, Rel-18)

5G and 6G radio access networks · Macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters

### Integrated access and backhaul

NR used to backhaul other NR cells wirelessly, useful where fibre or microwave is impractical.

3GPP TS 38.300 (IAB, Rel-16) · 3GPP TS 38.174 (IAB radio)

5G and 6G radio access networks · Macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters

### Public-safety in-building coverage

Emergency responder radio coverage systems required in many buildings by fire and building codes.

NFPA 1225 (emergency services communications)

[All 9 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/ran/macro-small-cells-das-and-repeaters/)

**06** Data, software and interoperability

## Licensing, residency and governance.

**Frontier** · Data, software and interoperability · Licensing, residency and governance

### Data spaces

Federated sharing where each party keeps control and usage policies travel with the data.

Eclipse Dataspace Protocol · IDSA Rulebook

Data, software and interoperability · Licensing, residency and governance

### Open data licences

Attribution and share-alike licences that govern reuse of open products.

Creative Commons BY 4.0 · ODbL 1.0 · Open Government Licence - Canada 2.0

Data, software and interoperability · Licensing, residency and governance

### Data and code licence identifiers

Standard identifiers so every dataset and package states its licence unambiguously.

SPDX License List · CDLA-Permissive-2.0

Data, software and interoperability · Licensing, residency and governance

### FAIR data practice

Making data findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable.

FAIR Guiding Principles (Wilkinson et al., 2016)

Data, software and interoperability · Licensing, residency and governance

### Indigenous data governance

Respecting Indigenous rights to own, control, access and possess data about their lands and communities.

OCAP principles (First Nations Information Governance Centre) · CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance

Data, software and interoperability · Licensing, residency and governance

### Data residency by contract

Storing and processing data in contracted jurisdictions with recorded locations and key custody.

Treasury Board of Canada Policy on Service and Digital · ISO/IEC 27018 (PII in public clouds)

[All 8 in this layer](https://observatory.global/technologies/data/licensing-residency-and-governance/)

**07** Every domain

## The rest of the spectrum.

The domains whose layers serve this industry, each with its full directory.

[Layers · 8 · items · 62 5G and 6G radio access networksThe radio access network from site to spectrum: macro, small cells, DAS and repeaters, massive MIMO, NR bands and TDD synchronisation, NR features such as RedCap, positioning and sidelink, private and shared networks, Wi-Fi coexistence, 6G and ISAC, and the planning and assurance that keep it working.](https://observatory.global/technologies/ran/)

[Layers · 8 · items · 60 AI-RAN and Open RANDisaggregated, software-defined and AI-assisted radio access: the O-RAN architecture and its open interfaces, 7.2x fronthaul, RAN intelligent controllers with xApps and rApps, SMO and O-Cloud, accelerated L1, shared GPU infrastructure for RAN and AI, AI/ML in the 3GPP air interface, energy saving, and the test and integration work that makes multi-supplier RAN deployable.](https://observatory.global/technologies/airan/)

[Layers · 8 · items · 60 Core and transport networksThe networks behind the radio: the 5G core and its functions, slicing and edge breakout, IMS voice and emergency calling, fronthaul, midhaul and backhaul over microwave, E-band, fibre, free-space optics and satellite, IP/MPLS and segment routing, IPv6, automation and intent, and the security that holds it together.](https://observatory.global/technologies/core/)

[Layers · 8 · items · 66 Satellite and space systemsThe space segment end to end: orbits and constellations, spacecraft buses, communications and Earth observation payloads, inter-satellite links, tracking and command, space safety, launch, and the licensing and filings that let a system operate over a site.](https://observatory.global/technologies/satellite/)

[Layers · 8 · items · 63 Ground segmentEverything on the ground that talks to spacecraft: gateways and teleports, user terminals, modems and software-defined radio, shared antenna networks, CCSDS protocol stacks, mission control, data processing and the spectrum coordination behind each earth station.](https://observatory.global/technologies/ground/)

[Layers · 7 · items · 59 Spectrum, timing and PNTThe shared foundations every network and sensor depends on: how spectrum is licensed, shared and monitored, GNSS positioning and its corrections, packet timing with PTP and SyncE, grandmasters and holdover, resilient PNT alternatives, and the detection of interference, jamming and spoofing.](https://observatory.global/technologies/timing/)

[Layers · 8 · items · 54 IoT, LPWAN and meshThe radios, networks, gateways, device management and field protocols that connect low-power sensors and controllers to the grid, sized to a measured power budget.](https://observatory.global/technologies/iot/)

[Layers · 8 · items · 61 In situ sensors and instrumentsInstruments placed in the air, water, ground and spectrum, from weather stations to seismometers, radars and cameras, with the calibration, metadata and quality control that make their readings evidence.](https://observatory.global/technologies/sensors/)

[Layers · 8 · items · 66 Field operations and lifecycleEverything that happens on the ground across a site's life: survey, permits, design packs, logistics, installation, acceptance, training, operations, maintenance, upgrades, decommission and recycling, done safely and recorded as evidence.](https://observatory.global/technologies/field/)

[Layers · 8 · items · 64 Power, energy and ruggedisationHow a remote site is powered, stored, distributed, cooled, sealed, tested, grounded, held up and kept safe, from a solar-powered sensor to a hybrid microgrid on a guyed mast.](https://observatory.global/technologies/power/)

[Layers · 8 · items · 59 Data, software and interoperabilityHow observations move from the edge into stores, catalogues and APIs with their provenance, licence and residency attached, and how they interoperate through open standards and the open Observatory Protocol.](https://observatory.global/technologies/data/)

## Bring us the site.

Survey, design, deployment and operation for communities. The form names who receives your details.

[Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/)

[Plan a deployment](https://observatory.global/contact/deployment/)

[Home](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/)

[Use cases](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/use-cases/)

[Specialized fields](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/fields/)

[Solutions](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/solutions/)

[Platforms](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/platforms/)

[Systems and technologies](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/systems/)

[Frontier](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/frontier/)

[Open](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/open/)

[Community](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/community/)

[Countries](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/countries/)

[Resources](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/resources/)

[Contact](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/contact/)

[Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/)**Communities** . Connectivity and observation the community owns.[Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/)

Communities

- [Overview](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/)
- [Explainer](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/explainer/)
- [Specialized fields](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/fields/)
- [Use cases](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/use-cases/)
- [Solutions](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/solutions/)
- [Platforms](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/platforms/)
- [Resources](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/resources/)
- [Contact](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/contact/)

Platforms

- [Observatory Protocol](https://observatory.global/protocol/)
- [Protocol & Grid](https://observatory.global/grid-services/)
- [Software](https://observatory.global/software/)
- [Hardware & power](https://observatory.global/hardware/)
- [Sensors & instruments](https://observatory.global/sensors/)
- [Connectivity](https://observatory.global/connectivity/)
- [Edge compute & AI](https://observatory.global/edge-ai/)
- [Earth observation & GeoAI](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/)
- [Space and satellite systems](https://observatory.global/space/)
- [Digital twins and simulation](https://observatory.global/digital-twins/)
- [Data & licensing](https://observatory.global/data-products/)
- [Field services](https://observatory.global/field-services/)
- [Frontier labs](https://observatory.global/labs/)

Solutions

- [Early warning](https://observatory.global/use-cases/street-flood/)
- [Wildfire and fire weather](https://observatory.global/use-cases/wildfire-camera/)
- [Environmental compliance](https://observatory.global/use-cases/methane-fenceline/)
- [Asset monitoring](https://observatory.global/industries/infrastructure/)
- [Private networks](https://observatory.global/connectivity/private-5g/)
- [Remote power and sites](https://observatory.global/use-cases/remote-microgrid/)
- [Climate and resilience](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/)
- [Site twins](https://observatory.global/digital-twins/)
- [Data licensing](https://observatory.global/data-products/)

Industries

- [Public safety](https://observatory.global/industries/public-safety/)
- [Government](https://observatory.global/industries/government/)
- [Cities](https://observatory.global/industries/cities/)
- [Civil resilience](https://observatory.global/industries/resilience/)
- [Communities](https://observatory.global/industries/communities/)
- [Humanitarian](https://observatory.global/industries/humanitarian/)
- [Climate](https://observatory.global/industries/climate/)
- [Water](https://observatory.global/industries/water/)
- [Nature](https://observatory.global/industries/nature/)
- [Oceans](https://observatory.global/industries/oceans/)
- [Agriculture](https://observatory.global/industries/agriculture/)
- [Energy](https://observatory.global/industries/energy/)
- [Telecom](https://observatory.global/industries/telecom/)
- [Transport](https://observatory.global/industries/transport/)
- [Infrastructure](https://observatory.global/industries/infrastructure/)
- [Mining](https://observatory.global/industries/mining/)
- [Industry](https://observatory.global/industries/industry/)
- [Research](https://observatory.global/industries/research/)
- [Education](https://observatory.global/industries/education/)
- [Health](https://observatory.global/industries/health/)
- [Insurance and finance](https://observatory.global/industries/insurance/)
- [Events](https://observatory.global/industries/events/)

Products

- [Field Deployment Studio](https://observatory.global/studio/)
- [Station Builder](https://observatory.global/studio/builder/)
- [Field services](https://observatory.global/field-services/)
- [Data products](https://observatory.global/data-products/)
- [APIs and SDKs](https://observatory.global/protocol/developers/)
- [Edge runtime and fleet](https://observatory.global/software/)
- [Hardware catalogue](https://observatory.global/hardware/)
- [Reference designs](https://observatory.global/protocol/reference-designs/)

Resources

- [Learn](https://observatory.global/learn/)
- [Stories](https://observatory.global/stories/)
- [Environments](https://observatory.global/environments/)
- [Network scenes](https://observatory.global/environments/networks/)
- [Observatories atlas](https://observatory.global/observatories/)
- [Earth and maps](https://observatory.global/earth/)
- [Technologies](https://observatory.global/technologies/)
- [Countries](https://observatory.global/countries/)
- [Spectrum](https://observatory.global/spectrum/)
- [Specification](https://observatory.global/protocol/specification/)
- [Conformance](https://observatory.global/protocol/conformance/)
- [Open source](https://observatory.global/open/)
- [Data credits](https://observatory.global/credits/)

Company

- [About](https://observatory.global/about/)
- [Open governance](https://observatory.global/consortium/)
- [Security and trust](https://observatory.global/security/)
- [Contact sales](https://observatory.global/contact/)
- [Privacy requests](https://observatory.global/privacy-request/)

© 2026 Nexus Observatory Inc.

[Security and trust](https://observatory.global/security/)

[Privacy choices](https://observatory.global/privacy-choices/)

[Accessibility](https://observatory.global/legal/accessibility/)

[Privacy](https://observatory.global/legal/privacy/)

[Terms](https://observatory.global/legal/terms/)