Utility Industry Leaders Join New Alliance to Champion Private Broadband Networks for Critical Infrastructure

WOODLAND PARK, N.J., Feb. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 (UBBA). UBBA aims to assist its members in planning and deploying secure, reliable, and resilient private broadband networks to support America's transforming digital grid.  

The founding members of UBBA represent utility industry organizations positioned at the forefront of advancing grid modernization, joining together to champion the advancement of innovative use cases leveraging private broadband networks. Current founding members include Ameren, Burns & McDonnell, Cisco Systems, Inc., Encore Networks, Inc., Ericsson, Inc., Federated Wireless, Inc., General Electric [GE], Motorola Solutions, Inc., Multi-Tech Systems, Inc., National Grid, pdvWireless, Inc., Sierra Wireless, Inc., and Southern Linc.

"I'm excited to have a vehicle for utilities to collaborate on the inevitable deployment of broadband technologies. The focus that this group brings will allow all interested parties to share successes so that they may be replicated across the industry, bringing even more value to the investments in broadband deployments so we can better serve customers," said Cole Crews of Ameren.

Grid modernization and digitalization are compelling utilities to move beyond traditional communications to broadband solutions. Created with utilities and dedicated to utilities, UBBA plans to drive the industry toward improved connectivity by leveraging industry successes and lessons learned.

"GE is excited to be working with pdvWireless and other members of UBBA. As utilities expand their grid modernization efforts, the sheer volume of devices and data, including video, is expanding rapidly.  We see private LTE technology delivering efficient and secure broadband capacity to meet that growing need.  UBBA will provide a great forum to refine this technology for the utilities," said Chris Trabold of GE Power's Grid Solutions business.       

Initial founding member, Southern Linc, recently shared that based on their experience, they are convinced that private wireless broadband networks are a strategic and tactical advantage for electric utilities.

"We are proud to support the industry in the transformation and modernization of the grid to have fast, open, wireless and secure communication," said Matt Olson of Burns & McDonnell. "We look forward to the partnership and collaboration UBBA will allow."

Mar Tarres of pdvWireless and UBBA membership liaison stated, "As pioneers in the application of wireless broadband networks, PDV looks forward to sharing the depth of our experiences and our low-band 900 MHz spectrum with fellow members of UBBA, enabling them to benefit from the scale and innovation that private networks inherently offer."

Building on the long history of collaboration among utilities, UBBA will drive scale and innovation for the utility industry through centralized initiatives that include:

• Insight: Dedicated to facilitating knowledge sharing among members by providing access to trials and proofs of concept, use cases, benchmarking and economic justification analysis.
• Innovation: Focused on accelerating utility system modernization by crafting industry centric solutions, addressing the evolving needs of America's utility sectors.
• Collaboration: Aimed at driving the industry toward improved connectivity, fostering working groups among utilities and ecosystem partners.
• Collective Voice: Helping members influence policy through rate and business cases that will provide capital for infrastructure investment.

UBBA invites all electric, gas and water utilities, systems integrators, technology providers, thought leaders and policymakers to join them in developing and implementing secure, private broadband networks for America's critical infrastructure.  Interested parties can connect with members of UBBA at the upcoming DistribuTECH conference being held February 5-7, 2019 in New Orleans or by emailing [email protected] for more information.

About The Utility Broadband Alliance
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 will have access to resources that accelerate their journey towards a secure, resilient and future-proof grid. Learn more at: www.UBBA.com.

Media Contact:

Nancy Broe
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Phil Sgro 
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SOURCE Utility Broadband Alliance