How Private Broadband Can Improve Utility Emergency Response

Private broadband is something that utilities in all sectors should consider, because it offers advanced video and data capabilities, greater analytical capabilities, and communication channel redundancy, all of which can help optimize emergency response.  While private broadband has historically not been available to utilities, a recent decision by the FCC to realign the 900 MHz band offers an opportunity to leverage the technology.  Simply put, now is the time to consider jumping onboard. 

Benefits of Private Broadband for Emergency Response

According to this article, there are a wide range of benefits for utilities using private broadband networks.  These include (but are not limited to):

• Providing communication channel redundancy, so that utilities can continue to communicate even when public networks are offline  
• Facilitating real time data monitoring to quickly assess a threat and take action
• Improving the ability to pinpoint the location and nature of an equipment failure prior to deploying a technician or crew – this enhances safety and efficiency, as well as the ability to reroute power to reduce the number of impacted customers
• Enhancing the capacity for machine-to-machine communications, one of the precursors to building a smart grid
• Improving the ability of managers and decision-makers to coordinate operations remotely
• Introducing greater cybersecurity capabilities
• Easing the deployment of automation and monitoring capabilities across the grid

The first benefit listed above might be the most critical one, as there is a growing interdependency between utilities and wireless communication networks.  Why do I think this is the most important factor?  Well, I’ve done restoration during a wireless outage, and let me tell you, it makes everything much more difficult.  Anything that can be done to reduce this reliance on public networks is going to be beneficial. 

That said, all of these benefits are important, and all of them would serve to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of restoration activities for utilities.  I recommend that you look into this, even if developing the capability is more of a long-term goal, because I strongly believe that utilities utilizing private broadband will have a distinct restoration advantage over those that don’t.