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 Based on extensive research with UTC's utility members, this study delves into the key factors that both utilities and their technology partners must take into account to deliver critical utility communication services. This data-rich report provides detailed analyses of these key factors, which are extreme high reliability, higher bandwidth, very low latency, ubiquitous coverage, tight security, and uninterrupted power supplies.
The study reaches the following specific conclusions:
- Reliability is the number-one criteria for utility communications networks. Whether in networks built, owned and managed by utilities or in communications services purchased or leased from external providers, reliability was the most important technical factor.
- The advent of the smart grid, which has spurred a number of efforts to standardize industry technologies and protocols, promises to create a more uniform set of architectures, configurations and applications for utilities in the future. As unifying efforts get underway, the utility industry could create a more uniform base for the more rapid deployment of advanced two-way communications technology.
- The scope, structure and technologies of utility communications vary widely from utility to utility. Because of the long-evolved legacy communications architectures across the nation’s utilities, no single approach to utility communications is practical in the near-term.
- Under current and future technology scenarios, certain key technical factors are mandatory for safe, reliable and secure utility operations. Among these factors are extreme high reliability, higher bandwidth, very low latency, ubiquitous coverage, tight security and uninterrupted power supplies.
- Communications service providers face increased opportunities in utility communications but must meet utilities’ key reliability, technical and cost requirements. Utilities already rely on external telecom providers throughout their communications networks and will likely turn to more outside telecom partners for support as two-way technologies take hold and as industry standardization occurs. But communications service providers must meet the industry’s key technical requirements, particularly when it comes to core and operations networks where any failure can destabilize or shut-down the utility’s functions.
Weaving in valuable summaries of all the other factors shaping utility communications, including standards and state and federal regulatory initiatives, the study further concludes that communications service providers face increased opportunities in utility communications but must meet utilities’ key reliability, technical and cost requirements.
This comprehensive 60+ pp. report features detailed survey data on how utilities use communications technologies and applications in their own internal networks and what utilities seek from external communications service partners. The report further provides detailed data on the key technical latency, security, reliability and power back-up requirements utilities demand for their communications networks as well as data on what utilities think are the top security threats and challenges to their communications infrastructure.
Order your copy of this invaluable report today and gain first-hand insight into the critical technical, operational and other factors that shape how utility communications are evolving in the smart grid era. Or download a table of contents to learn more about this important resource.
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