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

Exceptional Customer Service in Healthcare is the Cornerstone of Building Patient Trust
November 12, 2024

The significance of excellent customer service in every corner and industry cannot be overstated. This notion is especially crucial in healthcare, where patient experiences often influence their recovery and overall well-being. The topic of customer service in the medical field is always a priority in healthcare because providers strive to enhance patient satisfaction and…

Read More
eVTOL certification
Safran’s AI, Telemetry, and Data Precision Pave the Way for eVTOL Certification
November 11, 2024

The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industry is set to transform urban transportation by addressing congestion and promoting sustainable travel options. Experts predict the global eVTOL market will surge to $39 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.8% over the next decade. This rapid expansion is fueled by…

Read More
A Plan for the Future: A Legacy of Love, Giving from a Grand Dad with Ken Bissell
November 11, 2024

Everyone knows that parenting is not an easy feat, but raising twins takes parenting to another level. Such a journey is one that Ken Bissell had with his wife and now stands to showcase the power of partnership, patience, and resilience in family life. Including his twins, Bissell is a father to a total…

Read More
Fighting for Fair Healthcare Access Means Overcoming Certain Challenges
November 8, 2024

With healthcare costs continuing to climb, and the access to quality care remaining uneven, discussions on healthcare reform are quite an essential topic. Millions of Americans face high out-of-pocket costs and limited access to critical health services. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, nearly 40 percent of Americans have delayed medical care due to…

Read More