Anterix Spectrum

What Is Anterix Spectrum?

Anterix holds the largest licensed spectrum in the 900 MHz band (896-901/935-940 MHz) across the contiguous United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. This low-band spectrum is ideal for wide-area coverage, penetrating obstacles, and ensuring reliable connectivity over vast and challenging terrains.

The 900 MHz band offers a unique combination of coverage and capacity, making it suitable for mission-critical applications that require consistent and more secure communication channels.

Advantages of Anterix Spectrum for Private Cellular Networks

1. Deep coverage and reliability
   As low-band spectrum (sub-1 GHz frequency range), Anterix 900 MHz propagates over longer distances and penetrates obstacles more effectively than higher frequencies, reducing infrastructure costs while maintaining high reliability.
2. Enhanced security
   Private LTE networks support the implementation of robust cybersecurity measures, including identity and access controls, network segmentation, and real-time threat detection, safeguarding critical operations against cyber threats.
3. Operational control and flexibility
   Organizations gain full control over their network configurations, enabling customized deployments that meet specific operational requirements. This autonomy facilitates rapid response to changing demands and streamlined integration with emerging technologies.
4. Future-proof infrastructure
   Built on global 3GPP standards, networks utilizing Anterix’s 900 MHz spectrum are positioned for seamless evolution to 5G and beyond, helping to ensure long-term viability and compatibility with a broad ecosystem of devices and applications.

Utility Focus: Benefits of the Anterix Spectrum and Private Cellular Networks

Private wireless broadband networks deliver a communications solution that supports utility operations by enhancing reliability, security, and performance. Here's a breakdown of how they support utilities.

Anterix Spectrum: 900 MHz Licensed Broadband

Anterix controls the largest contiguous block of licensed 900 MHz spectrum in the U.S., which is well-suited for utility, industrial, and critical infrastructure applications. Key benefits include:

• Licensed: Utilities gain exclusive use of the spectrum, minimizing the risk of contention or interference from consumer or commercial users that often affect unlicensed bands.
• Wide area coverage: The 900 MHz band offers superior propagation characteristics, enabling broader geographic coverage with fewer towers compared to higher frequency bands.
• Resilience for critical communications: By operating on a dedicated spectrum, utilities can maintain communications during public network outages caused by natural disasters or other disruptions.

Private Cellular Networks

Private LTE networks built on Anterix’s spectrum give utilities control over their own broadband communications infrastructure. Key capabilities include:

• More secure communications: Designed with encryption and segmentation, private cellular networks protect operational data and reduce cyber risks.
• Low latency and high reliability: Supports mission-critical, time-sensitive applications like distribution automation, fault location, and advanced metering infrastructure.
• Scalability for grid modernization: Capable of handling diverse use cases — from SCADA and DER management to mobile workforce support — on a single network platform.
• Integration with edge devices: Enables connectivity to a wide range of IoT sensors, controllers, and field devices for real-time monitoring and control.

Operational and Strategic Benefits

The integration of Anterix spectrum with private cellular networks empowers utilities to:

• Accelerate grid digitization: Facilitate improved integration of DERs, microgrids, and renewables by ensuring robust connectivity.
• Improve outage response: Enhance situational awareness and communication between field crews and control centers.
• Enable long-term control: Ownership of the network allows utilities to customize, upgrade, and secure the infrastructure according to evolving operational needs without depending on public carriers.

Anterix spectrum empowers utilities to build private cellular networks that are more secure, reliable, and tailored to their specific needs. By providing comprehensive connectivity solutions and by fostering greater industry collaboration, Anterix is instrumental in advancing the modernization of critical infrastructure across the nation.

Digi Solutions for Anterix Spectrum and Private Cellular Networks

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Digi is enabling its industrial cellular routers to operate seamlessly on Anterix spectrum by achieving Anterix Active designation, ensuring optimized performance, enhanced reliability, and full compliance for critical industrial applications. Designed for the challenging environments of the utilities industry, Digi IX25 is an intelligent C1D2 and NEMA TS2 temperature rated cellular router solution, delivering secure, reliable connectivity to industrial assets, anywhere.

Integrated with Digi Remote Manager® — the remote management platform that provides visibility and control across the network — Digi IX25 is an excellent choice for process automation controllers, remote data loggers, flow meters, sensing equipment, telco infrastructure, traffic applications, and smart grid assets.

Superior performance and a range of SKUs offering edge intelligence and private network capabilities make Digi IX25 a complete connectivity solution for applications such as grid modernization in electric utility applications, as well as pipeline monitoring, well monitoring, and predictive maintenance in the water/wastewater and oil and gas industries.