Building Bridges in Energy: Collaborative Efforts Will Integrate Public and Private LTE Networks for Grid Modernization

AZZ

 

 

As the demand for more robust and resilient power grids intensifies, utilities increasingly combine public and private LTE networks. This strategic shift is essential for meeting the complex requirements of modern power grids and ensuring reliable energy distribution. The collaboration between telecommunications companies and utility providers is now more critical than ever to bridge the gap between these two types of networks, paving the way for significant advancements in grid modernization. The urgency of this integration stems from the need to enhance grid functionality and resilience against various challenges, such as climate change and growing urban populations.

What does this mean for the future of energy distribution, and how can utilities effectively merge public and private LTE networks to achieve their modernization goals?

As part of an Experts Talk discussion on grid modernization, Nick Tumilowicz, the Director of Distributed Energy Management Products at Itron, addressed the importance of collaboration in integrating public and private LTE networks.

Tumilowicz offered a succinct exploration of the strategic integration of LTE networks within the utility sector. His insights emphasize the necessity of crafting a seamless operational framework that benefits all stakeholders involved in energy management.

Here are the key takeaways from his analysis:

  • Flexibility is Key: Utilities must embrace flexibility in adopting both public and private LTE to meet diverse operational demands and ensure service reliability
  • Building the Right Bridges: Developing effective partnerships between telecommunications and utilities is crucial. These collaborations are foundational in constructing the infrastructure needed for advanced grid modernization
  • Customer-Centric Benefits: The integration of these networks should focus on optimizing costs and improving service delivery, ultimately benefiting the end consumer
  • Long-Term Vision: While the integration process might be gradual, maintaining a long-term perspective is essential for achieving the desired outcomes in grid resilience and efficiency
  • Collaborative Efforts: The success of grid modernization heavily relies on the collective efforts and cooperation of all partners involved, from utility companies to telecom operators

Article by James Kent

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

Image

Latest

filmmaking
Lights, Camera, Authenticity: Why Trusting Your Voice Is the Most Radical Move in Film Today
February 3, 2026

The entertainment industry is at a crossroads, where questions of access, authorship, and technological disruption are reshaping who gets to tell stories—and how those stories get made. From the rise of AI-assisted tools to ongoing conversations about representation and gatekeeping, filmmaking today is as much about identity and equity as it is about craft….

Read More
AI in energy
May the Agentforce Be With You: AI in Energy Services
February 3, 2026

Generative AI has moved past being a shiny demo and into the messy reality of enterprise operations—where data lives in different systems, customers expect instant answers, and security teams (rightfully) say “prove it.” In energy services specifically, even small efficiency gains matter: many retail energy providers operate on thin margins, and operational blind spots—billing…

Read More
Energy billing
Nightmare on Revenue Street: Energy Billing Edition
February 3, 2026

Energy billing is one of those things most people only think about when something goes wrong—an unusually high charge, a missing bill, a surprise shutoff notice, or a rate plan that suddenly doesn’t make sense. With smart meters, more complex pricing options, and different rules in regulated vs. deregulated markets, even a small breakdown…

Read More
career coaching
Work-Based Learning & Career Coaching with Strada Education: Closing the Gap Between Education and Opportunity
February 2, 2026

As higher education faces mounting pressure to demonstrate clear career outcomes, institutions are rethinking how learning connects to work and the role of career coaching in that process. Employers continue to report skills gaps, students are questioning the return on investment of a degree, and states are demanding stronger alignment between postsecondary education and…

Read More