DISTRIBUTECH 2024: Private Cellular Networks Bring Enhanced Security and Cost-Saving Abilities for the Future of Utilities

 

As global utilities gear up to invest a staggering £2 billion in private cellular networks by 2026, the industry stands on the cusp of a transformation. This massive shift towards private networks underscores a collective move to bolster reliability, enhance security, and achieve unparalleled real-time visibility into utility operations. The essence of this transition lies in the utilities’ ability to exert complete control over their network SIMs, ensuring that access is meticulously managed and security risks associated with public networks are mitigated.

Beyond its security features, private networks can help save money in the long run. MarketScale spoke to Curt Ahart, VP of Corporate Business Development at Digi International, on the show floor of energy transmission and distribution show DISTRIBUTECH 2024. While noting that the initial investments to build private networks can be pretty expensive, Ahart pointed out that this upfront investment is offset by the elimination of recurring charges for device connectivity, marking a pivotal move towards cost efficiency as utilities scale from thousands to millions of devices.

Ahart’s Thoughts

Control and Security with Private Networks

“The thing about the private network is they control the SIMs, so really to have any access onto their network it would have to be provided by a SIM and any type of device, and they have complete control over that SIM’s work. So the primary reason they’re going to private cellular network is reliability.”

The Drive for Reliability and Real-Time Grid Management

“With all the forces that are on them, regulations and moving to decarbonization, and they won’t be able to do that with the current mobile networks, not in a reliable way. So the primary reason they’re going to private networks is reliability, security, and just having that real-time visibility into their grid. The thing about the private network is they control the SIMs, so really to have any access onto their network it would have to be provided by a SIM and any type of device, and they have complete control over that SIM’s work. In a public mobile network, the mobile operator’s providing those to all kinds of different parties, and if you look at it, it’s really a big shared resource, and that introduces vulnerabilities.”

Financial Advantages and Operational Efficiency

“One of the big data points they capture is ongoing savings. They go and get the capital expenditures to build out these networks, and these networks, they could be somewhere between $300 [million] to $1 billion to build out, but once that network is in place, it becomes a free asset to the utility. So as they pile on and move from tens of thousands of devices to hundreds of thousands or millions, they have no recurring charges associated with those assets. Today, everything that they put on a public network, they pay the carrier for, and the more they add, the more they pay.”

Article written by MarketScale.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Coupa Inspire 2025
A Global Conversation: Coupa Inspire 2025 Brings Innovation to Your Doorstep
September 12, 2025

Coupa Inspire 2025 is taking its flagship experience on the road with the Inspire World Tour, bringing the spirit of its celebrated event to five cities across four continents. By condensing the energy of its global gathering into free, one-day sessions, Coupa is expanding access to knowledge, innovation, and community-building opportunities for finance, procurement, and…

Read More
Royal Dublin
Mastering the Game: Akshay Bhatia and Coupa Inspire at the Royal Dublin
September 12, 2025

At the Royal Dublin, Coupa brought together community and competition with PGA pro and brand ambassador Akshay Bhatia, who shared lessons from the course that extend far beyond golf. His message, “Master your swing. Master your spend,” underscored the power of precision, discipline, and strategy in both sport and business. The event was not just…

Read More
Coupa Customer Appreciation Day with Akshay Bhatia at The Royal Dublin
September 11, 2025

Coupa’s Customer Appreciation Day at The Royal Dublin on July, 2025, brought together PGA Tour talent Akshay Bhatia and the community for a celebration of both sport and connection. Beyond the excitement of world-class golf, Bhatia shared practical “tour-level tips” in a relaxed clinic format, offering guidance on everything from escaping rough lies to mastering…

Read More
The Royal Dublin
Coupa Spotlight: Akshay Bhatia Tees Up Teaching at The Royal Dublin
September 11, 2025

American golfer Akshay Bhatia’s teaching session at The Royal Dublin this July marks more than a summer stop—it’s a sign of how golf’s rising stars are shaping the global game. For Coupa, the event highlights the intersection of tradition and modern growth, bringing fresh attention to one of Ireland’s most historic courses. Bhatia’s presence underscores…

Read More