Utilities today face growing challenges in maintaining resilient, secure, and scalable communications infrastructure. As demand for power accelerates and distributed energy resources (DERs) become more prevalent, traditional fiber-based networks are struggling to keep pace.
In this environment, private wireless networks, especially those leveraging licensed spectrum, have emerged as a powerful alternative. Digi International, together with Anterix, is helping utility providers deploy these networks and integrate advanced communication solutions that go beyond the reach of fiber.
The Shift from Fiber to Wireless: What Utilities Need to Know
Fiber remains a gold standard for many utility communications networks — but it’s not without limitations. Building fiber infrastructure is costly, time-consuming, and often impractical in remote or rugged terrain. For utilities aiming to extend communications to edge devices, DERs, or mobile workforces, private wireless offers an attractive solution.
Private LTE (PLTE) networks allow utilities to establish secure, dedicated wireless communications that deliver low latency, high reliability, and full control over network deployment. Using low-band licensed spectrum — such as the 900 MHz band enabled by Anterix — utilities can cover wide geographic areas and penetrate environmental obstructions such as foliage or buildings, providing strong, reliable connectivity where it’s needed most.
Why Utilities Are Embracing Private Wireless Networks
There are several compelling reasons for utilities to consider a transition or supplement to private wireless broadband:
- Security: Utilities gain control over access and traffic with a reduced threat surface compared to commercial networks. Enhanced security tools inherent in LTE/5G technologies further bolster protection. Learn more about this topic in our blog post on perimeter security with private 5G networks.
- Resilience: Once the network is built, the marginal cost of adding new devices or sensors is minimal, enabling wider deployment of edge infrastructure.
- Operational efficiency: Instead of managing 20+ proprietary networks, utilities can consolidate to a few standardized platforms, reducing complexity and increasing visibility.
- Grid modernization: Private wireless supports emerging use cases like AMI 2.0, field force enablement, wildfire mitigation, and DER integration — essential for meeting clean energy targets.
- Customer experience: Better network coverage and visibility translate into improved outage detection, faster restoration, and enhanced communications with end users.
Real-World Applications: How Wireless Goes Beyond Fiber
Utilities are deploying private LTE in a variety of settings:
- Field operations: Connecting laptops, tablets, and push-to-talk devices for mobile crews.
- DERs and AMI 2.0: Supporting high-bandwidth metering and variable energy generation.
- Wildfire mitigation: Enabling real-time monitoring and automatic de-energization of transmission lines.
- Water monitoring: Tracking reservoir levels and flood potential, especially in multipurpose districts.
Meeting the Challenge of Low Latency and High Availability
Two essential metrics define successful wireless deployment in utility settings: resilience and latency. Digi and Anterix have participated in multiple industry tests, including those with NREL and Hubbell Power Systems, showing that private LTE networks consistently deliver deterministic latency under 60 milliseconds — even under high traffic conditions.
Further, Digi routers enable WAN bonding, combining multiple WAN interfaces (e.g., public LTE, private LTE, fiber, satellite) for optimal uptime. This ensures critical applications — like direct transfer trip for fault isolation or mobile workforce service applications — remain online even when a connection fails.
Learn more about Digi WAN Bonding and Digi cellular routers.
Built for the Grid: Digi’s Heritage in Utility Connectivity
Digi has supported utilities for decades, evolving from serial modem technology to full-scale IP-based solutions. Digi cellular routers like the Digi IX30 are hardened for utility environments and offer features such as:
- Dual SIM and dual-modem failover
- Digi SureLink® link integrity monitoring
- MACsec link-layer encryption
- Edge compute capabilities with container support
- Seamless integration with Digi Remote Manager® for centralized monitoring and control
Whether deployed in substations, on poles, in vehicles or at the grid edge, Digi routers help ensure secure, reliable, and scalable communication across a utility’s infrastructure.
A Resilient Future for Utilities
The grid of the future is dynamic, distributed, and data-driven. By moving beyond fiber and investing in private wireless networks backed by Digi and Anterix, utilities can achieve the flexibility, control, and performance they need to operate securely and efficiently. With solutions like WAN bonding, rugged routers, and remote management, Digi is ready to help utilities modernize their communications and support mission-critical operations in any environment.
Explore how Digi is helping utility providers transform their networks: Visit our solutions for utilities.
Why are utilities moving toward private wireless networks?
Utilities are shifting toward private LTE and 5G networks to address growing communication demands driven by distributed energy resources (DERs), grid modernization, and field mobility.
Traditional fiber networks, while fast and secure, are expensive and difficult to deploy in remote or rugged areas. Private wireless networks provide broad coverage, lower latency, and greater flexibility — all critical for real-time operations and grid resiliency.
What advantages does private LTE offer over public carrier networks for utilities?
Private LTE (PLTE) offers utilities:
- Security: Complete control of network access, authentication, and data routing.
- Reliability: Dedicated bandwidth ensures uptime for mission-critical applications.
- Coverage: Low-band spectrum (e.g., 900 MHz from Anterix) enables wide-area, deep-penetrating signals.
- Scalability: Easily add devices and endpoints without major infrastructure changes.
- Cost control: Avoid recurring public network fees and gain predictable operational costs.
How does private wireless improve grid resilience?
Private wireless networks enable utilities to connect more sensors, controllers, and field devices cost-effectively. This supports real-time monitoring, fault detection, and remote operations. Since the network is owned and managed by the utility, it remains operational even during public network outages — a key advantage during storms, wildfires, or other emergencies.
What are the key use cases for private cellular networks in utilities?
Utilities are deploying private LTE for a range of critical applications:
- Field workforce enablement: Secure connectivity for laptops, tablets, and push-to-talk communications.
- DER and AMI 2.0 integration: Managing bidirectional energy flows and next-generation metering.
- Wildfire mitigation: Real-time line monitoring and automated power shutoff systems.
- Water and flood management: Continuous sensor data collection in multipurpose utility districts.
- Substation and pole monitoring: Secure connectivity for grid-edge devices and remote operations.
How does private LTE support low latency and high availability?
Latency — the time it takes for data to travel across the network — is critical for real-time utility operations. Tests conducted with NREL and Hubbell Power Systems have shown private LTE networks can deliver deterministic latency under 60 milliseconds, even during peak usage. Combined with Digi’s WAN bonding technology, which merges multiple WAN interfaces (private LTE, public LTE, satellite, or fiber), utilities can achieve near-100% uptime for critical applications.
What makes Digi’s solutions an excellent choice for private network deployments?
Digi brings decades of experience in utility communications. Its industrial-grade routers — such as Digi IX30 — are designed for harsh environments and support advanced features including:
- Dual SIM and dual-modem failover
- Digi SureLink® link integrity monitoring
- MACsec encryption for secure connections
- Edge computing with containerized applications
- Integration with Digi Remote Manager® for centralized visibility and control
These features make Digi an ideal solution provider for utilities seeking to modernize their grid communications with private LTE and 5G.
What spectrum does private LTE use?
Private LTE networks for utilities often leverage the 900 MHz band provided by Anterix, which offers licensed, low-band spectrum optimized for wide-area coverage and penetration through buildings, foliage, and difficult terrain — ideal for large-scale utility operations.
Can private wireless complement existing fiber infrastructure?
Absolutely. Many utilities use a hybrid model, combining fiber for high-capacity backhaul with private LTE for last-mile and field connectivity. This approach extends communications to hard-to-reach areas and provides redundancy if a fiber link fails.
How can utilities get started with private wireless?
Digi and Anterix collaborate to help utilities assess needs, design networks, and deploy scalable private LTE systems. Utilities can begin with pilot programs to validate performance and gradually expand coverage as use cases grow. Digi’s routers and management tools ensure seamless integration and future scalability.
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