Ericsson is deploying a private LTE network for utilities in Texas to support grid modernisation efforts.

The Swedish company is working with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) in a multi-year agreement to implement a private LTE network across parts of 68 Texas counties. The network will support grid modernisation efforts, provide reliable, low-latency communications and help safeguard utility operations against growing threats.

“A private LTE network will provide LCRA with additional capacity, control and security capabilities that are essential to our role as a leading public utility in Texas,” said Stephen Kellicker, LCRA (www.lcra.org) executive vice president. “We are committed to enhancing our operational capabilities while helping to ensure the highest levels of security and reliability in our service to Texans.”

The private LTE network will be a foundational element in LCRA’s long-term strategy to maintain reliable and resilient wireless communications for its own operations and the communities it serves. The mission-critical private LTE network includes the 5G-ready, geographically redundant Ericsson dual-mode 5G core, radio access network (RAN), network management and security management. By implementing the private LTE network, LCRA will gain visibility and control over its utility operations with applications such as mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT), supervisory control and data acquisition (scada), and supporting electric cooperatives, and municipal, school, transit and other governmental entities for their critical communication needs.

With round-the-clock monitoring and support from Ericsson’s dedicated network operations teams, the private LTE network will be strengthened against risks stemming from extreme weather and malicious actors, supporting LCRA’s efforts to provide robust and resilient utility services.

“This agreement with LCRA demonstrates Ericsson’s commitment to securing and modernising America’s critical infrastructure,” said Eric Boudriau, vice president at Ericsson in North America. “By implementing a mission critical private LTE network, LCRA is taking proactive steps to enhance grid resilience, strengthen cyber security, and prepare for future technological advances that will benefit millions of Texans.”

Initial operations, scheduled to begin early this year, will establish a future-focused, 5G-ready mission-critical network throughout LCRA’s area.

With a presence in North America since 1876, Ericsson (www.ericsson.com) provides secure, reliable networks for critical infrastructure. To learn more of its work in the smart grid field, go to www.ericsson.com/en/industries/energy-utilities/smart-grids.