# Ukama **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/ukama **Vertical:** Telecom & Internet Providers **Subcategory:** General **Tier:** Emerging **Website:** ukama.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary US YC W20 open-source CBRS private LTE network anyone can deploy at $1.1M revenue 2024; first decentralized cellular network for enterprises/ISPs/individuals competing with Celona for private cellular infrastructure in factories, campuses, and underserved areas. ## Company Overview Ukama is a United States-based decentralized open-source cellular network platform — backed by Y Combinator (W20) — providing enterprises, ISPs, and individuals with the hardware and software to deploy and control their own private LTE-based cellular networks using CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) spectrum and other bands, generating $1.1 million in annual revenue in 2024 with a 7-person team. Founded in 2020, Ukama positions as the first cellular network that anyone can independently deploy and manage — offering free data within self-deployed coverage areas and global roaming capabilities outside them, enabling use cases from private industrial IoT networks and campus cellular coverage to community-owned internet infrastructure in underserved areas. Ukama's decentralized cellular network model addresses the infrastructure dependency that organizations currently have on mobile carriers: enterprises with factories, campuses, warehouses, or remote operations that need cellular connectivity (for IoT sensors, asset tracking, worker communication) must rely on Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile coverage — paying commercial carrier rates for data, accepting coverage gaps in areas outside the carrier's infrastructure investment priorities, and having no control over network configuration, data privacy, or SLA quality. Ukama's private CBRS LTE solution (3.5 GHz spectrum licensed by the FCC for shared commercial use) enables organizations to deploy their own cellular base stations (eNodeBs) covering their specific geographic footprint — achieving enterprise-grade cellular connectivity in locations where commercial coverage is unavailable, while keeping cellular data traffic on-premises for privacy-sensitive industrial applications. The open-source platform (allowing network customization and community contribution) differentiates Ukama from proprietary private cellular vendors. In 2025, Ukama competes in the private cellular networks, CBRS LTE deployment, and enterprise wireless infrastructure market with Celona (enterprise CBRS 4G/5G, $135M raised at $500M valuation), Betacom (managed private 5G, $25M raised), and Nokia (enterprise private networks, ETR: NOKIA) for enterprise and community organization private cellular network deployment adoption. The open-source architecture (unlike Celona's proprietary platform) provides the extensibility and community development that attracts technically sophisticated enterprises and ISPs building differentiated services on top of the cellular stack. Y Combinator W20 backing connects Ukama with the telecommunications technology and infrastructure investor community. The 2025 strategy focuses on growing the industrial IoT enterprise deployments (manufacturing facilities, ports, mining operations with critical connectivity requirements), building the community ISP program for rural broadband cooperatives using Ukama as last-mile cellular infrastructure, and expanding the global roaming partnerships for Ukama network users traveling outside their home coverage area. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Ukama? Ukama is a decentralized, open-source cellular data network that enables enterprises, ISPs, and individuals to deploy and control their own LTE-based networks. Founded in 2020, Ukama represents the first cellular network that anyone can independently deploy and manage using CBRS and other bands. ### What products and services does Ukama offer? Ukama offers decentralized cellular network solutions including CBRS LTE network deployment, private cellular infrastructure, industrial IoT networks, and home cellular coverage. Users get free data within their coverage areas and global roaming capabilities outside them. ### Who can use Ukama's services? Ukama serves enterprises, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and individuals who want to deploy their own private LTE networks. Applications range from home use to industrial IoT deployments. ### When was Ukama founded? Ukama was founded in 2020 and participated in Y Combinator's Winter 2020 (W20) batch. ### Where is Ukama located? Ukama is based in Palo Alto, California. ### Has Ukama received any funding or investment? Yes, Ukama is backed by Y Combinator, having participated in their Winter 2020 (W20) cohort. ### What are Ukama's key achievements and metrics? As of 2024, Ukama reached $1.1 million in annual revenue with a lean 7-person team. The company is notable for creating the first cellular network using CBRS that anyone can deploy. ### What technology approach does Ukama use? Ukama uses a decentralized, open-source approach to cellular networking, utilizing CBRS and other bands for LTE-based network deployment. This allows users to set up and control their own private cellular networks independently. ### How does Ukama's pricing model work? Ukama offers free data within the coverage area of deployed networks. When users roam outside their coverage area, they have access to global roaming capabilities. ### What are Ukama's recent developments? In 2024, Ukama achieved $1.1 million in annual revenue while maintaining a 7-person team. The company continues to position itself as a pioneer in decentralized cellular networking, enabling private LTE networks for various applications from industrial IoT to residential use. ## Tags b2b, b2c, telecom, infrastructure, global, communication --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*