This session is for Utility leaders considering upgrading their voice and data critical communications strategy, including potential positive and negative impacts on their operations. They recognize that technologies like LMR, LTE and satellite as part of a Unified Critical Communications plan.

 Utilities communications must support a reliable, cost-effective and safe worker environment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, during all kinds of weather events. This is true especially during massive power outages. Regardless of weather, time of day, location or terrain, when individual workers and interconnected groups communicate effectively in the field and with their dispatch control centers, team efficiency increases.

  Electric utilities continue to make advancements migrating from single purpose systems to multi-purpose communications networks as they transition from analog to digital. These advancements enable voice functionality along combined with data applications like AVL, distribution automation, SCADA, field operations and text with effective, wide-area coverage. These upgrades improve daily operations while enabling member cooperatives to staging crews as they prepare to respond to storms and disasters.

  In summary, this webinar provides deeper insight into the suite of communications options by laying a foundation for the Next Generation Critical Communications Network.

Objectives
1. Discuss the business drivers and end-user requirements
2. Review opportunities for improved business efficiency and worker safety
3. Provide insight into recent technology advancements for Commercial and Private LTE
4. Explore the challenges and benefits of Converged Wireless Communications