In this on-demand webinar from Digi International and Anterix, industry experts explore how utilities can strengthen SCADA performance and communications reliability without replacing existing fiber infrastructure.
Attendees learned how advanced wireless technologies can complement and extend fiber networks — overcoming deployment challenges such as remote locations, cost constraints, and difficult terrain.
The session highlights how deploying wireless routers alongside existing systems can create a resilient, dual-path network leveraging both private and commercial connections. Through detailed examples and a WAN Bonding demo, the presenters demonstrate how utilities can achieve fiber-like reliability, enhance uptime, and accelerate grid modernization — all while maintaining legacy systems in place.
To learn more, visit the Digi Industrial Router product page, check out our industrial solutions page, or review our comprehensive offering of end-to-end connectivity solutions for enterprise, industrial and transportation applications.
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Follow-Up Webinar Q&A – Reliable Wireless Connectivity for Utilities — Flexible Solutions Beyond Fiber
In our recent webinar with Anterix, Steve Ryan of Anterix and Eric Edevold of Digi International discussed how utilities are moving beyond fiber with private wireless and resilient connectivity. The Q&A below offers insights into deployment considerations, spectrum availability, network reliability and more.
Moderator: Mitch Sinon, Sr. Lead Generation Manager, Digi International
Presenters:
- Steve Ryan, VP, Ecosystems and Partnerships, Anterix
- Eric Edevold, Strategic Account Manager, Digi International
Do Digi cellular routers support Modbus and DNP3?
Eric: Yes. Digi routers can communicate with Modbus equipment and feed that data into SCADA systems. For DNP3, we support containerized applications that allow our routers to act as a DNP3 master. We work with partners like Inductive Automation, AutoSol and Tantalus, who offer those capabilities in containerized form. Alternatively, Modbus can be sent directly through the router to SCADA wrapped in IP.
Is the Anterix premium 900 MHz spectrum licensed or unlicensed?
Steve: It is licensed. While there is an ISM portion of the 900 MHz band, Anterix’s spectrum is licensed and protected — dedicated for use by the utility customer, without interference from other users.
How does a private LTE (PLTE) solution ensure continuous connectivity during natural disasters?
Steve: Utilities that operate their own PLTE networks can prioritize and harden infrastructure to recover more quickly after a disaster. One customer compared restoration times during a hurricane and saw better results with their private network than with commercial carriers. Combined with technologies like WAN bonding, these networks can provide persistent coverage even under extreme conditions.
What are the options when public cellular coverage is poor?
Steve: That’s where PLTE shines. Utilities can build coverage exactly where it’s needed — even in remote transmission areas with few residents — which commercial carriers often deprioritize. You can design the network to meet latency requirements, such as for wildfire mitigation where rapid fault isolation is critical.
Eric: When you add WAN bonding, you can combine PLTE with public networks to maintain sub-200 ms latency, well within the 1-second fault isolation threshold required by utilities.
Do you provide a service level guarantee on outage durations?
Steve: Anterix provides the spectrum, not network operations, so we don’t set SLAs. But the utility controls its network — and many implement their own SLAs to meet their resilience goals.
What’s the lowest-hanging fruit for sellers promoting these solutions?
Eric: Start with connected devices utilities already need: capacitor bank controllers, reclosers, voltage regulators, and commercial/industrial meters. Ask about newly identified hypercritical assets they want to monitor. Fleet operations are also a high-impact area — truck-based crews need resilient communications.
Steve: The conversation is very use case-driven. Operational teams often determine what gets deployed. Sellers can bridge information gaps and engage those teams to help identify and prioritize needs.
Is the information presented applicable in Canada or Europe?
Steve: In Canada, bands 8 and 106 (used by Anterix in the U.S.) are approved. In Europe, utilities often operate in the 450 MHz range. The approach and use cases are similar, though specific frequencies differ.
Eric: Digi designs its cellular modules for global deployment. We support a wide range of frequencies for North America, Europe, and Latin America.
Can AMI and SCADA applications both run on a common private LTE network?
Steve: Yes — particularly at 900 MHz. Direct-to-meter and mesh-based AMI solutions can both backhaul data over private LTE using gateways like those from Digi.
Eric: These use cases typically have low data rates, so even lower-speed cellular connections are sufficient. Digi cellular routers backhaul from AMI collectors, while embedded Digi XBee® modules support direct-to-meter connections.
If you have additional questions, please email us at digi.webinars@digi.com.
Explore Digi’s utility solutions: https://www.digi.com/solutions/by-industry/energy