Ericsson is collaborating with NRTC, Southern Linc, and Anterix to deliver private network solutions to electric cooperatives (co-ops) of all sizes and service terrains across the United States. The partnership aims to support electric co-ops in modernising grid infrastructure and provide uninterrupted electricity services to communities nationwide.

NRTC will augment its fibre design and construction capabilities with Ericsson’s cellular and microwave communications technologies, Southern Linc’s core hosting solutions, and Anterix’s 900 MHz spectrum as well as their 115+ member Active Ecosystem. The partnership will also allow NRTC members to construct and maintain LTE/5G-ready sites as needed to provide wireless coverage and capacity for legacy system retirement and grid modernisation objectives.

Southern Linc’s core hosting solution will bring Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core solution, built on Ericsson’s Cloud Native Infrastructure, to NRTC member cooperatives and will provide the core connectivity for the private Radio Access Network. Combined with Ericsson Router 6000 and MINI-LINK 6000 technologies, this will provide a framework for utilities to enhance network capabilities.

“Our collaboration with NRTC, Anterix, and Southern Linc underscores Ericsson’s dedication to advancing secure and resilient communications infrastructure for co-ops across North America,” said Eric Boudriau, Vice President and Head of Customer Unit Regional Customers, Ericsson North America. “We are proud to contribute our solutions to this initiative, ensuring that NRTC members have access to state-of-the-art technology that meets their evolving needs and maximises their resources.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Ericsson, Southern Linc, and Anterix,” said Joe Walsh, Vice President of Smart Grid Networking at NRTC. “This collaboration closes a critical gap that rural electric cooperatives will face as they modernise their grid infrastructure. Together, we’re forging a path towards unparalleled connectivity, resilience, and security, ensuring that communities across the US have access to the cutting-edge solutions they need to thrive.”

“Our mission is to empower electric cooperatives to build a robust and future-proof network infrastructure that can withstand the demands of the modern world,” said Southern Linc Engineering Director Alan McIntyre. “By collaborating with Ericsson and NRTC, we are ensuring that utilities of all sizes have access to the latest private network solutions, enabling them to deliver highly reliable service to their communities.”

“Our agreement with NRTC, and its collaboration with Ericsson and Southern Linc, will provide NRTC’s utility cooperatives with the ability to directly access our 900 MHz spectrum, our 900 MHz platform and solutions, and the Anterix Active Ecosystem members and their offerings,” said Alice Moy-Gonzalez, Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at Anterix. “I believe that this collaboration, when combined with our current seven utility customers deploying in fifteen states, will deliver significant scale and scope benefits to our nation’s electric cooperatives as they develop and deploy private LTE networks.”