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Dear UBBA Community,
As we move deeper into 2026, the demands on utility operations have never been greater or more complex. From accelerating load growth driven by electrification and data centers to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, utilities are being called upon to deliver resilience, reliability, and real-time responsiveness at an entirely new scale, while managing affordability. At the heart of meeting these challenges is a foundational shift in how utilities think about connecting to growing numbers grid edge devices.
Private wireless networks, particularly Private LTE, are no longer a future consideration. They are a strategic imperative. Across the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA), we continue to see growing momentum as utilities recognize that legacy communications systems alone cannot support the modern grid. Today’s grid requires a secure, high-performance, and highly adaptable communications platform capable of supporting mission-critical applications from advanced metering and distributed energy resource management to fault detection, automation, and real-time situational awareness. Private broadband provides this platform.
It enables utilities to move beyond siloed systems and toward an integrated, intelligent network that supports both operational efficiency and long-term grid modernization. It is the connective tissue that allows utilities to fully realize the promise of AMI 2.0, grid edge intelligence, and increasingly autonomous operations. Just as important, private broadband networks adoption hinges on not just collaboration but thoughtful organizational change management that aligns people, processes, and operating models around new ways of working. UBBA serves as a unique forum where utilities, technology providers, and industry stakeholders come together to share real-world experiences, validate use cases, and accelerate deployment. Through initiatives like the 2026 Plugfest, our members are not just talking about innovation, they are testing, proving, and operationalizing it.
From a financial and strategic perspective, investing in private wireless networks is about more than infrastructure, it’s about enabling a more secure, resilient and future-ready utility. It’s about ensuring that every dollar spent contributes to a communications foundation that can scale, adapt, and deliver value for decades to come.
As Treasurer of UBBA and as part of the team at Anterix, I see firsthand the critical importance of aligning long-term investment strategies with the evolving needs of utility operations. The decisions being made today will define the capabilities of the grid for years to come. UBBA is proud to support our members on this journey. Together, we are building not just networks, but the future of utility operations.
Sincerely,
Mar Tarres
Treasurer, Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA)
Anterix
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