As utilities and public safety organizations become increasingly dependent on broadband connectivity, the communications network can no longer be treated as a supporting service. It is becoming mission-critical operational infrastructure. This raises an important question: Who should own and control the platform that these critical operations depend on?

This executive panel will bring together leaders from Southern Linc and the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) to share lessons from operating private LTE networks that support utility crews, public safety agencies and other critical infrastructure organizations. Panelists will discuss how their networks are being used to deliver mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT), broadband data and priority communications across large and often challenging service territories.

The discussion will explore the operational and strategic value of controlling network coverage, capacity, prioritization, resiliency, cybersecurity and technology evolution. Panelists will also examine hosted core models that allow other utilities and critical infrastructure organizations to deploy their own private radio networks while leveraging an experienced operator for core network services and operational support.
Attendees will gain a practical understanding of private LTE ownership models, MC-PTT deployment considerations and how hosted core services can lower operational barriers without sacrificing control of critical communications.

Takeaway

1) Understand why utilities and public-safety organizations are treating communications networks as critical operational infrastructure.
2) Learn how Southern Linc and LCRA are using private LTE and MCPTT to support field crews and external critical-communications users.
3) Compare fully owned and operated networks with hosted-core approaches that reduce operational complexity.
4) Identify which elements of coverage, priority, resiliency, security and lifecycle control should remain under the critical-communications organization's authority.