Introduction

Imagine a power grid so intelligent that it can predict and prevent outages before they happen, repair itself automatically, and optimize energy distribution in real-time. This isn’t science fiction – it’s happening right now as utilities embrace private cellular networks. In 2024, we’ve witnessed a dramatic transformation as energy companies deploy their own 4G and 5G networks, creating a digital nervous system that spans vast territories and connects thousands of devices.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. With aging infrastructure, increasing cyber threats, and the pressing need to integrate renewable energy sources, utilities face unprecedented challenges. Private networks are emerging as the backbone of this transformation, enabling everything from remote nuclear plant inspections to real-time grid monitoring across thousands of square miles. The true potential of these networks lies in tailored network design, which allows for optimized resource allocation, high reliability, efficient issue resolution, and enhanced operational performance.

Major Private Network Deployments in 2024

Look at the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant in Czechia, where Vodafone’s groundbreaking 5G private network has revolutionized operations. Plant technicians now use augmented reality glasses for maintenance procedures, accessing critical data hands-free while maintaining the highest security standards. This isn’t just about replacing walkie-talkies – it’s about fundamentally reimagining how nuclear facilities operate in the digital age.

In Texas, Oncor Electric’s massive $102.5 million spectrum agreement with Anterix demonstrates the scale of utility companies’ commitment to private networks. Covering 95 counties, this network will serve as the foundation for a smarter, more resilient grid that can automatically respond to outages and optimize power distribution across one of America’s largest states.

The impact of private networks ripples through every aspect of utility operations:

Grid Management Revolution: Private networks enable utilities to create a real-time digital twin of their entire infrastructure. At Southern California Edison, their pioneering CBRS-based 5G field area network doesn’t just monitor the grid – it predicts equipment failures before they happen and automatically reroutes power to prevent outages. This level of control was impossible with traditional communication systems.

Worker Safety Transformation: At EDF Energy’s nuclear plants across France, private LTE networks have created a connected workforce. Maintenance crews now carry devices that monitor environmental conditions and vital signs while providing instant access to technical documentation and expert support. The result? Faster repairs, safer workers, and more efficient operations.

Smart Meter Evolution: Private networks are transforming how utilities understand and respond to energy consumption. China’s State Grid, serving over 1.1 billion people, uses its private 5G network to collect and analyze data from millions of smart meters in real-time, enabling dynamic pricing and demand response programs that were previously impossible to implement at scale.

Key Industry Partnerships and Collaborations in 2024

2024 marked a significant year for the utility sector, with several landmark partnerships emerging between utilities, technology providers, and telecommunications companies, all focused on modernizing grid infrastructure through private cellular networks.

Anterix and Oncor Electric delivered one of the year’s most significant developments, signing a $102.5 million spectrum agreement covering 95 counties in Texas. This deal, structured through 2026, provides Oncor with 900 MHz broadband licenses for private LTE network deployment, representing one of the largest spectrum acquisitions by a utility to date. The partnership aims to enhance grid awareness and operational intelligence while providing a foundation for future smart grid applications.

An innovative industry coalition formed when Ericsson, NRTC, Southern Linc, and Anterix joined forces to standardize private network access for electric cooperatives across the United States. This comprehensive partnership combines Ericsson’s RAN expertise, Southern Linc’s core hosting capabilities, and Anterix’s 900 MHz spectrum, making enterprise-grade private networks accessible to utilities of all sizes. The collaboration addresses rural electric cooperatives’ unique challenges in their digital transformation journey.

OneLayer and Evergy established a multi-year partnership to secure the rapidly expanding IoT ecosystem within utility operations. Their collaboration addresses the growing complexity of managing thousands of connected devices and smart meters, implementing zero-trust security architecture designed explicitly for utility operations. The partnership’s scope anticipates massive scaling, preparing for tens of thousands of connected devices in the coming years.

Ubiik emerged as a key innovator in the utility space, introducing a dual-spectrum solution engineered explicitly for utility applications. Their technology enables utilities to optimize traffic between licensed Band 106 and unlicensed 915 MHz ISM spectrum, providing unprecedented flexibility in network management. This development benefits utilities looking to balance critical SCADA operations with less time-sensitive applications like AMI.

Celona’s expansion into utility partnerships demonstrated the sector’s growing emphasis on operational technology security. Their collaborations focused on secure network segmentation and integration with existing utility platforms, establishing new standards for protecting critical infrastructure through private cellular networks.

Future Outlook: Utility Connectivity in 2025 and Beyond

As we look ahead, the utility industry’s adoption of private cellular networks is poised to accelerate, driven by the success stories witnessed in 2024 and the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Emerging Trends

The integration of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics with private networks is expected to become increasingly sophisticated. Utilities will leverage edge computing capabilities to enable real-time, on-site data processing and decision-making, empowering predictive maintenance systems to anticipate equipment failures before they occur. Furthermore, the convergence of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems will accelerate, unlocking new possibilities for end-to-end automation and optimization across the entire utility ecosystem.

Expected Developments in 2025 and Beyond

The industry is moving towards fully connected, intelligent utility grids where every aspect of operations is monitored and optimized in real-time. Building on the booming global rollouts of private 5G networks by industry leaders like State Grid, we anticipate similar initiatives from other major utilities worldwide. The standardization of 5G and the proliferation of specialized, utility-grade equipment will further drive the integration of private networks into critical infrastructure.

Impact on Utility Industry Transformation

The technological evolution of private cellular networks represents more than just an upgrade in communications infrastructure – it fundamentally reshapes utility operations’ nature. The utility workforce of the future will require new skills, with a greater emphasis on digital literacy, data analysis, and remote management expertise. Environmental monitoring and sustainability initiatives will benefit from private networks’ comprehensive data collection and analytics capabilities, helping utilities meet increasingly stringent regulatory requirements and societal expectations around decarbonization.

As private cellular networks become the standard rather than the exception in utility operations, we expect continued innovation in technology and applications. The progress made in 2024 suggests that the utility industry is on the cusp of a new era where digital transformation will drive safety, efficiency, and sustainability improvements across the entire energy landscape. By harnessing the full potential of private wireless connectivity, utilities are poised to lead the way in modernizing critical infrastructure and securing a sustainable energy future.