Explore our library of articles, videos and more on utility connectivity and the need for private broadband networks. UBBA is here to help you gain an understanding of the issues and keep up with advances in these innovative solutions.
Recorded at the 2023 UBBA Summit & Plugfest in Minneapolis: Join utility industry experts as they explore communications strategies and integrated technologies designed to ensure safety across the energy grid. From substations to meters, and from initial detection to final response, utility physical and cyber security...
Recorded at the 2023 UBBA Summit & Plugfest in Minneapolis: From forecasting demand to advanced self-healing grid management, Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered utility infrastructure is the talk of the year. These next-generation intelligence systems can monitor equipment for potential outages or failures and respond to disruption...
Recorded October 11, 2023 at the UBBA Summit & Plugfest in Minneapolis: Utility Industry Perspectives – “Trends in Utility Innovation” Jennie Bratten will open with session with her insights on the latest trends in the energy/utility industry, and then invite panelists to join her for...
Recorded October 12, 2023 a the UBBA summit & Plugfest in Minneapolis. – Grid Modernization goals for enhancing reliability and resiliency require a highspeed network to enable a variety of supporting utility use-cases. Integrating Electric Vehicles and Distributed Energy Resources, and migration of the next generation...
Recorded October 12, 2023 in Minneapolis – Utilities collectively are under increasing pressure to act to ensure their critical infrastructure is ready to meet aggressive clean energy targets and harden the electric grid for improved resilience and security. Data and communications technologies underpinning grid operations...
Panel recorded Oct 12, 2023 at the UBBA Summit & Plugfest in Minneapolis. No one size fits all in the utility space! This session will offer insights into four utilities’ journeys to private LTE for operational use cases and future grid solutions. SPEAKERS: Alan McIntyre...
UBBA Summit & Plugfest 2023 Keynote CEO of UScellular, Laurent Therivel offers his insights as the special keynote at the 2023 UBBA Summit & Plugfest. Click the image below to listen to his key messages with an introduction by Kim Kerr, SVP at UScellular.
Recording from the 2023 UBBA Summit & Plugfest Click the image below to watch this panel from the 2023 UBBA Summit & Plugfest in Minneapolis. Join Xcel Energy’s Tim O’Conner, EVP & COO, Eric Levin, Chief Architect and Tawnya Fielder, VP of Applications for a...
Listen to the first episode of the new UBBA Unplugged podcast with special guest Carlos Carazo from Southern California Edison.
Each utility strategy is different and UBBA is the best resource for utilities to ask questions and collaborate about broadband solutions to meet the coverage, resilience, reliability, and cybersecurity requirements for their utility. Reliable and resilient communications are critical for power utility operations. The loss...
2022 UBBA Summit & Plugfest unedited recording of the Plugfest Testing area
2022 UBBA Summit & Plugfest testing unedited recordings
2022 UBBA Summit & Plugfest was the culmination of utility collaboration and ecosystem leaders coming together to solve utility LTE challenges. Watch the Women in Utility Leadership Panel
2022 UBBA Summit & Plugfest was the culmination of utility collaboration and ecosystem leaders coming together to solve utility LTE challenges.
See The Whitepaper Utilities and their customers have been focused on electric service reliability since the first systems were installed. Today, the electric grid is growing more complex as we add electrical loads and generation in places not anticipated in the original grid designs. Our very own Cybersecurity working group that is comprised of thought…
See The Whitepaper Utilities and their customers have been focused on electric service reliability since the first systems were installed. Today, the electric grid is growing more complex as we add electrical loads and generation in places not anticipated in the original grid designs. Our very own Cybersecurity working group that is comprised of thought…
May 4, 2022 – SDG&E deploys a private communications network to monitor and maintain its grid in real time, so it can reduce its wildfire risk. by Omar Zevallos, SDG&E More than half of the largest wildfires in California’s history have occurred in the past...
Aug 24, 2022: EPB Launches America’s First Community-wide 25 Gig Internet Service READ MORE: https://epb.com/newsroom/press-releases/epb-launches-americas-first-community-wide-25-gig-internet-service/
OneLayer – Emerging Attack Vectors and Techniques
UBBA’s Plugfest was the culmination of collaboration and ecosystem leaders coming together to solve utility LTE challenges. “Each utility strategy is different and UBBA is the best resource for utilities to ask questions and collaborate about broadband solutions to meet the coverage, resilience, reliability, and cybersecurity requirements for their utility,” said UBBA Vice Chairman John…
UBBA’s Plugfest featured critical use cases such as FLISR (Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration), Capacitor Bank Controllers, Smart Streetlighting, and next-gen smart meters, to name a few. Hosted by UBBA founding member Ameren Missouri, the test cases were identified by the UBBA Use Cases & Testbeds Working Group and led by the UBBA Plugfest…
The Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) held its inaugural Utility Broadband Plugfest to test LTE networks for utility use cases in St. Louis. UBBA delivered a sold-out, in-person event culminating with the first Utility Broadband Plugfest, which showcased the innovation, collaboration, and interoperability of utility use cases and devices on public and private LTE networks
Why are Alliances so critical to utility infrastructure evolution? Our industry leaders will share their experiences and vision for collaboration among associations. Speakers: Jerry Gentry (NYPA), Tim Godfrey (EPRI), John Hughes, Vice Chairman of UBBA (Ameren), Koustuv Ghoshal (Ericsson), and Mar Tarres (Anterix) Moderated by: Matt Olson (Burns & McDonnell)
UBBA delivered the first LTE Plugfest to St. Louis in October 2021, to showcase the innovation, collaboration and interoperability of utility use cases on private LTE networks. This is the recording of the first morning plugfest on Day 1 of the event. Moderated by: Matt Olson (Burns & McDonnell)
UBBA delivered the first LTE Plugfest to St. Louis in October 2021, to showcase the innovation, collaboration and interoperability of utility use cases on private LTE networks. This is the recording of the afternoon Plugfest tests on Day 1 of the event. Emcee: Matt Olson (Burns & McDonnell)
Closing Out 2021 with Increased Interest and New Members Dec 20, 2021 –The Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) is a collaboration of utilities and ecosystem partners dedicated to championing the advancement and development of private broadband networks for America’s critical infrastructure industries. Members have access to resources that...
UBBA delivered the first LTE Plugfest to St. Louis in October 2021, to showcase the innovation, collaboration and interoperability of utility use cases on private LTE networks. This is the recording of the morning Plugfest tests on Day 2 of the event. Emcee: Matt Olson (Burns & McDonnell)
What is Broadband? The UBBA Business Working Group created several educational tools to help the industry learn more about the strategies and opportunities available.
The UBBA Business Working Group created several educational tools to help the industry learn more about the strategies and opportunities available.
See The Whitepaper Utilities and their customers have been focused on electric service reliability since the first systems were installed. Today, the electric grid is growing more complex as we add electrical loads and generation in places not anticipated in the original grid designs. Our very own Cybersecurity working group that is comprised of thought…
Anterix Active Ecosystem Demos during lunch at the UBBA Summit & Plugfest
UBBA filed this letter to the Secretary of the Federal Communications Commission on December 14, 2021, regarding support for EEI’s petition and Request for Stay on 6 GHz, as filed 12/7 in the FCC’s ET Docket No. 18-295; GN Docket No. 17-183.
More than 3,000 electric utilities across the US are each managing multiple—sometimes more than a dozen—wireless networks in support of grid operations, workforce management, and customer service. Typically, these networks have been developed in an ad hoc manner for application-centric purposes.
Watch the 2 minute video montage to experience the Leadership of UBBA!
Speakers: Bhavani Amirthalingam (Ameren), Omar Zevallos (SDG&E), Jerry Gentry (NYPA), Joe Mellott (Evergy)...
UBBA is opposed to efforts by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand spectrum for new technologies and consumer uses in such a way as to produce harmful interference with the critical operations...
The Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) held its inaugural Utility Broadband Plugfest to test LTE networks for utility use cases in St. Louis. UBBA delivered a sold-out, in-person event culminating with the first Utility Broadband Plugfest, which showcased the innovation, collaboration, and...
The 2021 UBBA Summit & Plugfest welcomed nearly 300 utility industry leaders to St. Louis for two days of thought leadership and technical testing. While in St. Louis we captured many voices of our members sharing their thoughts on the Alliance. Here is a video from Koustuv Ghoshal from Ericson.
The 2021 UBBA Summit & Plugfest welcomed nearly 300 utility industry leaders to St. Louis for two days of thought leadership and technical testing. While in St. Louis we captured many voices of our members sharing their thoughts on the Alliance. Here is a video from David Allen from UScellular. Click below to watch this…
The 2021 UBBA Summit & Plugfest welcomed nearly 300 utility industry leaders to St. Louis for two days of thought leadership and technical testing. While in St. Louis we captured many voices of our members sharing their thoughts on the Alliance. Here is one from Dr. Mauricio Subieta from Nokia. Click below to watch this…
Griselda Aldrete from Alliant Energy and one of the new UBBA Board of Directors shares her Voice of the Member. Click below to watch this UBBA Voice of the Members segment:
The 2021 UBBA Summit & Plugfest welcomed nearly 300 utility industry leaders to St. Louis for two days of thought leadership and technical testing. While in St. Louis we captured many voices of our members sharing their thoughts on the Alliance. Here is a video from Ron Brady of Xcel Energy. Click below to watch…
This document provides a high-level overview of the options for utility support of broadband internet service deployment to underserved customers. While electric utilities of all types are considering or making investments in their own private wired and wireless broadband communications infrastructure primarily.
Ensuring home broadband internet access—particularly in rural areas—has long been a national priority, but efforts to bridge the digital divide gained increased urgency in the face of safety measures taken to combat the pandemic. As the federal government amplifies its longstanding strategy of providing funding to entice commercial deployment of broadband service in otherwise uneconomical…
The 2021 UBBA Summit & Plugfest welcomed nearly 300 utility industry leaders to St. Louis for two days of thought leadership and technical testing. While in St. Louis we captured many voices of our members sharing their thoughts on the Alliance. Here is one from Rob Schwartz, CEO of Anterix. Click below to watch this…
Whether Utilities want to operate their own private LTE network, use the existing mobile operator’s networks, or a hybrid approach in between, Mobile Network Operators can support a range of integrated solutions that balance the Utilities need for control, data localization and security with access to mobile networks for coverage, roaming, and fail-over capabilities. Speaker: James…
Ameren Chief Procurement Officer & VP of Supply Chain will insights on planning for innovation and procurement strategies for the future of the utility networks. Speaker: Pardeep Gill (Ameren)
Utilities are experiencing the next-generation evolution of SCADA, AMI and Smart City applications. With rising software and penetration attacks – the potential for sophisticated cyber attackers to breach and gain control of a utility’s smart grid. This panel will build off Gill’s keynote and discuss strategies for working with supply chain partners can pull all…
Utilities are increasingly focused on the wireless broadband data communications networks necessary to enable their historic efforts to modernize the grid. A major concern in selecting network technology and radio spectrum: ensuring a broad, vibrant marketplace for equipment, applications, and services to support initial deployment as well as ongoing operations and maintenance. Nobody wants to…
How to leverage technology transition to reap the massive potential of the smart utilities market. We will discuss the advantages for utilities in the new 5G world. Intelligent communication capability built into the IoT network and layered with security that best protects utility operations. Panelists: Jitender Vohra (Telit), Jeff Tufts (Cisco), David Allen (UScellular) and…
Insights from the Business Working Group paper focused on what happens after deployment. What skills utilities need to hire for and what options are available to them. Panelists: Tom Bedics (SouthernLinc), Ron Brady (Xcel Energy), Mauricio Subieta(Nokia), and Patrick Nolan (Ameren). Moderator: Paul Anuszkiewicz (Palmetto Technology Associates)
Get the background and the latest status on the FCC’s efforts to permit unlicensed use of the entire 6GHz Licensed Microwave band for Wi-Fi. Plus speakers will share the results of real-world testing by Southern Company, Lockard & White and EPRI of the first commercially available 6GHz Wi-Fi Access Points; Demonstrating the true interference with…
Today’s utilities are becoming more and more dependent on data, real-time data, to operate their networks safely and efficiently. Many utilities are currently evaluating the automation and modernization of their communications systems.
Wireless technologies enable wide area coverage that can flex between latency and speed.
One key component of the utility’s operations is the management of their work crews that install and maintain the grid infrastructure.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters generate vast amounts of data that can help utilities optimize their services delivery and network. A connected digital grid can help increase efficiencies and cut costs.
UBBA members Nokia and NYPA share video of PLTE test for drone inspections
We’re on the verge of a very different world for utilities as they face a dramatic business and technological transformation. Power, communications, transportation, infrastructure and even public safety are becoming interconnected and interdependent as utilities develop the intelligent grid.
Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) including demand response, efficiency programs and Distributed Generation (DG) from solar and wind help keep the electric grid balanced and reliable.
Video: NYPA successfully tests drone flights using Private LTE wireless network for close-up inspections of power lines
The latest urgent issue for electric utilities is fire prevention. Powerline-caused wildfires put a utility and their customers at a tremendous risk both financially and more importantly threaten their safety and security. The fact that a single wildfire like the Camp Fire can cause so...
When Hurricane Laura made landfall early in the morning on August 27, 2020 with sustained winds of 150 mph, and higher gusts as it roared ashore, it became one of the top five hurricanes overall to hit the U.S.
Video: NYPA successfully tests drone flights using Private LTE wireless network for close-up inspections of power lines
Utilities rely on their land mobile radios (LMR) and the communications infrastructure that connects them. When cellular carrier service becomes unavailable during or after a natural disaster, utilities need secure, ultra-reliable communications.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), all structures exceeding 200 feet above ground level, and under 200 feet in height when they may interfere with the flight path of an airport, must be appropriately marked with tower lights.
Utilities rely on their land mobile radios (LMR) and the communications infrastructure that connects them. When cellular carrier service becomes unavailable during or after a natural disaster, utilities need secure, ultra-reliable communications.
Enabling smarter, safer and more connected utilities requires cooperation, collaboration and partnership between device manufacturers and network infrastructure providers. This ecosystem panel of experts will discuss solutions that bring redundancy to cellular infrastructure, coordinate power generation, monitor power distribution and ensure employee safety. Thought leaders...
The electric utility business is fundamentally more complex today than it was even five years ago: once primarily the supplier of centrally-produced power, the utility is now the master orchestrator of a multitude of distributed energy resources. Enabling the modern grid requires a solid foundation of certain strategic technologies, including private wireless broadband communications.
Moderated by Mark Poulin (Anterix) and featuring a panel of industry experts, including, Faramarz Maghsoodlou (Qualcomm Technologies), Jitender Vohra (Telit), Warren Westrup (Sierra Wireless), and Brundaban Sahoo (Motorola Solutions).
The Utilities Broadband Alliance (UBBA), formed earlier this year and spearheaded by founding member Anterix, formerly pdvWireless, is addressing the business case for private Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks for utilities, along with use cases and technology considerations.
Hosted by Pete Tseronis (Dots & Bridges) with a distinguished panel of industry experts and practitioners, Andy Bordine (Anterix), Ahmad Faruqui (Brattle Consulting), Rick Schmidt (Black & Veatch), and Scott Schoepel (Motorola).
Hosted by Pete Tseronis (Dots & Bridges) with special guests Bruce Albright (Burns & McDonnell), Bobbi Harris (UBBA), Chris Trabold (General Electric).
Join Guidehouse Analyst Richelle Elberg, author of Private LTE Networks Position Utilities for Industry Transformation, Alan McIntyre of Southern Company, Chris Guttman-McCabe, Chief Regulatory and Communications Officer of Anterix, and moderator Kevin Malloy, Vice President of Customer Solutions and Strategic Development of Anterix, to hear more from them about the concept of a future grid communications network effect.
pdvWireless has announced that Southern Linc will serve as a founding member of an alliance of utilities and vendors that will become a hub of information sharing, collaboration and planning. The aim is to assist the development of private wireless broadband networks owned by and dedicated to utilities.
A case study of how Southern Linc, the wireless communications network backed by the strength and reliability of Southern Company, transitioned to a highly reliable LTE network while meeting strict security requirements.
The number of devices featuring cellular or satellite connectivity deployed in oil and gas applications is expected to reach 1.9 million units by 2023 from 1.3 million at the end of 2018.
In support of America’s transforming critical infrastructure, the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) has been advancing and developing private long-term evolution (LTE) broadband as a key communications infrastructure for a secure, resilient, digital grid. UBBA founding member Southern Linc hosted the UBBA’s first annual summit in Birmingham, Alabama early October, where utility executives, industry technology leaders along with representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Edison Electric Institute (EEI), and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) explored key challenges facing electric utilities and examined private broadband networks as a critical element of the transforming grid.
This short podcast includes highlights of Tami’s Keynote, which covered areas such as Southern Linc’s needs that brought them to the decision to stand up a Private Network and their experience doing so.
I am a Senior Product Manager, within GE’s industrial communications product line, working for the MDS wireless group. My education is in electrical engineering at Geneva College, and I’ve spent 21 years executing software design and firmware development. Most of that was here at MDS doing wireless product design and development focused on the energy and industrial industries.
United in advancing the development and adoption of dedicated wireless broadband networks for utilities, a diverse group of power providers, technology innovators, and industry leaders are establishing the Utility Broadband Alliance.
The Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) hosted a two-day summit for utility executives and industry technology leaders to explore key challenges facing electric utilities.
I started my career working at Motorola installing wireless systems as a field engineer/project leader, and I later returned to serve as a systems engineer manager for worldwide deployments.
This webinar, sponsored by UBBA, brings together utility and technology leaders to share their experiences on broadband infrastructure and looks at the following key areas: understanding the business opportunities and industry challenges that utilities must take into consideration; real utility drivers and solutions for private broadband; technology, spectrum and use cases.
A group of companies representing telecom equipment vendors, spectrum licensees, and utilities has formed an alliance to advance the development of private broadband networks for energy providers. The Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) includes 13 founding companies that want to drive modernization efforts in the nation's grid and other industrial IoT applications.
Bobbi Harris, member engagement and operations lead at the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA), discusses how her organization came to be and what's next for it and its members.
Following a soft launch in February at DISTRIBUTECH, membership of the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) has grown to 19 member organizations, all working hard to formulate the Alliance working groups and overall Alliance focus.
Bobbi Harris, member engagement and operations lead at the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA), discusses how her organization came to be and what's next for it and its members.
pdvWireless and Southern Linc partnered to form an alliance of utilities and vendors that will become a hub of information sharing, collaboration, and planning to assist the development of private wireless broadband networks owned by and dedicated to utilities.
The number of devices featuring cellular or satellite connectivity deployed in oil and gas applications is expected to reach 1.9 million units by 2023 from 1.3 million at the end of 2018.
Following a soft launch in February at DISTRIBUTECH, membership of the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) has grown to 19 member organizations, all working hard to formulate the Alliance working groups and overall Alliance focus.
In support of America’s transforming critical infrastructure, the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) is dedicated to advancing and developing private LTE broadband as key communications infrastructure for a secure, resilient, digital grid.
Morgan O’Brien’s pdvWireless continues to evolve with an updated business model that includes leasing the company’s 900 MHz spectrum and consulting on private Long Term Evolution (LTE) as it continues to await an FCC decision on its more than four-year-old plan to realign the 900 MHz band for broadband operations.
According to a new research report from the M2M/IoT analyst firm Berg Insight, the number of devices featuring cellular or satellite connectivity deployed in oil and gas applications amounted to 1.3 million at the end of 2018.
