Let’s talk about a Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) milestone, and the journey towards powering smarter and environmentally cleaner utility connectivity.
First, UBBA. This alliance’s mission is to champion the advancement and development of private broadband networks as a key enabler of the utility of our future. UBBA fosters digital-age collaboration amongst forward-thinking ecosystem participants to develop innovative solutions that cater to utilities’ many unique needs. The benefits of an UBBA membership include access to resources that accelerate pushes towards a secure and more resilient future-proof grid with dedicated broadband communications, as well as a space (with other like-minded members) to incubate ideas, evaluate business cases, and develop critical infrastructure solutions using standards-based LTE (News - Alert) broadband. In efforts to “ensure a faster, safer path to grid digitization and modernization,” these are what UBBA prioritizes.
Next, private broadband itself (and how it paves the way for said modernization). Across the U.S. and globally, according to UBBA, utilities are “realizing a critical role of private broadband” as they seek to achieve “aggressive sustainability goals and deliver fresher connected services to customers.” While many utilities currently manage a multitude of siloed, narrowband wireless networks, private broadband can provide the scale and efficiency required to meet customers’ needs for an evolving, distributed digital grid.
So, it’s very good news that UBBA officially announced that it has surpassed more than 100 members. For UBBA, more members means more effective idea incubation and use case validation for resiliency when it comes to electric, gas and water utilities. (Plus, systems integrators, thought leaders, policymakers and other technology providers.)
Per Carlos Carazo, Managing Director of Digital Grid Services at Southern California Edison (News - Alert), and a member of the UBBA Board of Directors:
“Meeting our utility clean energy goals can only be achieved with high-speed network communication. We are excited to collaborate with other UBBA members on initiatives that help further the adoption of the ubiquitous broadband connectivity that can aid in reducing the grid’s reliance on carbon-based energy sources.”
Overall, the rapid growth of UBBA membership serves as a testament to utility industry needs (in terms of essential communications infrastructure and cleaner broadband innovation).
“The path toward grid modernization requires collaboration and information sharing,” said Ali Mohammed, Senior Director of Digital Innovation & Transformation at New York Power Authority, and chairman of the UBBA Board of Directors. “We created UBBA so utilities craving digitalization could learn from their peers and receive best practices to help ignite the speed of their journeys. And in over just two years since incorporation, UBBA has brought together major carriers, OEMs and some of the biggest names in utilities. Together, will work to bring to life more opportunities for members to, with confidence, leverage next-gen broadband networks and ultimately serve customers better.”
Edited by
Greg Tavarez
