Modern utilities face a myriad of challenges including cybersecurity threats, extreme weather, regulatory pressures, and the stress of increasing load on the electrical grid. To combat these challenges, utilities must build resilient and secure communication networks that are future proofed against existing and new hurdles. Anterix collaborated with Semtech in a webinar to discuss how utilities can leverage private networks and multi-network connectivity solutions to enhance flexibility and reliability.
Watch webinar on demand: Building Resilient Utility Networks With Private Networks and Smart, Multi-Network Connectivity
Utilities are increasingly adopting private networks to address their critical communication needs. As grid modernization efforts intensify, traditional public networks often fall short of meeting the reliability, security, and coverage requirements for mission-critical operations. Private long-term evolution (LTE) networks provide utilities with a dedicated spectrum, ensuring consistent communication during emergencies when public networks may become congested or unavailable. They offer superior control over network performance, enabling utilities to prioritize critical communications and customize coverage for remote infrastructure. Furthermore, private networks create a foundation for enhanced cybersecurity protections, allowing utilities to implement more robust security measures than would be possible on shared public infrastructure. With the increasing deployment of distributed energy resources and smart grid technologies, the need for resilient, high-capacity, and secure communication networks has never been more essential.
The Anterix and Semtech collaboration offers utilities a way to build resilient, effective private networks.
Anterix’s 900 MHz private wireless broadband spectrum, leveraging the existing Band 8 and Band 106 technology, provides utilities with a robust, 900 MHz low-band frequency that is ideal for covering large, remote grid areas. This low-band spectrum propagation can cover large areas with fewer towers and offers coverage in spots where a higher band might not reach or penetrate. Utilities can achieve comprehensive coverage across vast service territories—significantly reducing both capital expenditure and deployment timeframes. Perhaps most critically, utilities which have invested in alternative communication networks using land mobile radio (LMR) or narrowband frequencies, can consolidate multiple legacy communication systems into a single broadband network for better efficiency and cost savings—as demonstrated by one Anterix customer who streamlined 20 separate networks down to just two, dramatically reducing operational complexity and cost.
Semtech AirLink® router solutions provide the critical edge foundation for Anterix private networks. Specifically engineered for mission-critical utility applications, these hardened routers withstand extreme outdoor environmental conditions—from substation environments to remote field locations. These multi-network router solutions support a range of spectrums, including Anterix B8, B106, CBRS, and global LTE and 5G SA bands* offering utilities a path to scalable, adaptable, and resilient communication systems including network redundancy. To further improve communication resilience, utilities can also opt for Semtech’s Smart Connectivity service that leverages multiple networks to enable resilient coverage. Semtech is a mobile virtual network operator – an MVNO – and its Smart Connectivity provides resilient coverage with access to 600 networks in more than 190 countries: all with One SIM. Semtech Smart Connectivity has proprietary intelligence giving utilities built-in resilience, detecting network outages and seamlessly switching to available networks to keep their critical assets connected. Moreover, utilities can manage both their AirLink routers and their AirVantage® Smart Connectivity through a single management platform.
*depending on models. Details can be found here.
Here are some important ways that this solution can benefit utilities.
Deploying a private network is a complex task, especially when transitioning from legacy systems or commercial networks. Private Network deployments are typically phased: building a private network takes time, and companies may have budget or infrastructure limitations. Public networks can be leveraged as temporary solutions in areas where the private network isn’t yet deployed. With dual-SIM or dual-radio features, AirLink routers ensure devices stay connected on a commercial network until the private network is ready. The Semtech multi-network connectivity through its AirLink routers and AirVantage Smart Connectivity allows for continuous operation regardless of the status of private network coverage.
Utility field teams often work in remote areas where they may move in and out of private network coverage. AirLink multi-network routers enable dynamic switching between public and private networks, ensuring mobile teams stay connected regardless of location. Built-in smart failover mechanisms (Cognitive Wireless) can also identify the optimal network to use, prioritizing low-cost options for non-critical communications and reserving high-priority connections for real-time operational needs.
Network planning requires planning for failure. If the private network is disrupted for any reason, an AirLink multi-network router can serve as an automatic failover switch to ensure continuous connectivity to critical assets. The multi-IMSI, multi-profile Smart Connectivity offers the ability to move seamlessly from one network to another safeguarding critical operations from delays and failures.
In addition to the built-in security protections of LTE, private networks provide tighter security by limiting unauthorized access and enabling firewall segmentation. AirLink multi-network routers have regular firmware updates to address newly identified vulnerabilities. Utilities can actively manage their routers using a management platform deployed within their own private network and then use provided tools to understand typical throughput characteristics and lock down router operations when needed.
Anterix and Semtech continue to look for ways to help accelerate grid modernization and resilient communications to support mission critical networks. The Anterix Active Ecosystem has brought together over 125 technology innovators in the private wireless broadband community – including Semtech – to bring to market solutions that accelerate private wireless broadband for utilities. Anterix’s commitment to the utility industry is further demonstrated through the petition the Federal Communications Commission to support a 5 MHz channel, an initiative that is currently pending regulatory approval.
The energy landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, challenging utilities to enhance reliability, security, and adaptability while preparing for increased electrification, extreme weather events, and persistent cybersecurity threats. The combination of Anterix's 900 MHz spectrum and Semtech's multi-network router and connectivity solutions creates a powerful foundation for truly resilient utility networks.
Want to learn directly from the experts? Watch our on-demand webinar featuring an in-depth panel discussion with experts from Anterix and Semtech.
Watch Now: Building Resilient Utility Networks With Private Networks and Smart, Multi-Network Connectivity
For utilities ready to enhance their network resilience, flexibility, and security, please contact us.
Semtech®, the Semtech logo, Airlink®, and AirVantage® are registered trademarks or service marks of Semtech Corporation or its affiliates. are registered trademarks or service marks of Semtech Corporation or its affiliates. Other product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.