BONUS SESSION: Utility Converged Communications
Thursday, June 08, 2023: 4:10 PM - 5:10 PM
Description
Energy companies continue to face new challenges as safety and reliability expectation continue to expand. New emerging commercial technologies, while they introduce new communications capabilities, they also present new and expanding opportunities for Mission Critical organizations. Regardless of the potential flexibility and new functionality, the safety and reliability of critical communications must be maintained.
In the aftermath of any emergency or disaster, energy companies recognize the importance of their critical communications infrastructure. As energy leaders review their wireless communications options, one might ask, “Do I still need an LMR system, or can we use LTE or satellite to address our mobility requirements?” This presentation is intended for utility industry leaders researching the right Critical Communications tool for the right job. It provides insight into common industry challenges; increased reliability requirements, lower cost expectations, increase productivity, and improved worker safety.
This requires leaders to define what the next generation Critical Communications Network will look like and answer the question, “Why are some organizations are making an “OR” choice while others are electing an “AND” strategic decision regarding Critical Communications Services?”
Energy organizations continue to expand dependence on Critical Communication voice and data applications from both private and commercial network providers. Advancements in LMR technology means that utilities who transition from analog to digital double the use of their existing spectrum; simulcast advancements expand their capacity and coverage even further. Worker safety features like Man Down, Lone Worker, and GPS enhance their ability to restore power safely. LTE has come a long way and continues to develop rapidly; its data capabilities unlock countless efficiencies for day-to-day utilities operations and will continue to expand.
In summary this discussion presentation has been developed to provide deeper insight into the suite of communications options and to lay a foundation for what the Next Generation Critical Communications Network could look like.