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Join industry leaders, potential partners, and technology providers for our 2025 Summit & Plugfest Welcome Reception!
Join us bright and early for breakfast and to honor this year's recipients of the UBBA and Plugfest Awards!
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As private wireless broadband buildouts progress, opportunities are emerging for utilities to realize the benefits of collaboration including sharing of network assets and expanding network services to like-minded enterprises. Utilities have the opportunity to extend their network to third parties, which opens the door for new use cases and innovative business models. With novel network sharing and expansion approaches, utilities can optimize their technology investment, reduce cost of ownership, drive more efficient network operations, and benefit from new collaboration opportunities. Our panelists will discuss: • The key benefits of network sharing and expansion strategies • Use cases enabled by a network sharing approach • Business/commercial, regulatory, and technology insights to help formulate the best approach for each Utility • Network sharing scenarios and evaluate approaches for network expansion to maximize network value
The China-sponsored cyber threat group Volt Typhoon, first identified by Microsoft in May 2023 and later confirmed by U.S. agencies (CISA, NSA, and FBI) in early 2024, poses a serious risk to U.S. critical infrastructure. Targeting Operational Technology (OT) and communications networks, the group infiltrates sectors such as Energy, Transportation, and Water Systems. Using “Living Off the Land” (LOTL) techniques, Volt Typhoon evades traditional malware detection by leveraging native system tools, enabling stealthy, persistent access that could facilitate disruptive cyberattacks in future geopolitical conflicts. Beyond traditional IT systems, Volt Typhoon also threatens private cellular networks, particularly those used by utilities for critical communications. Despite security measures at the transport layer, vulnerabilities persist in network cores relying on standard computing platforms. Mitigating these risks requires advanced endpoint detection, anomaly-based monitoring, and strict access controls. This session features a former U.S. government national security officer with experience leading the Department of Energy’s Cyber Intelligence mission and an industry expert with over 30 years of experience in wireless carrier strategy and utility network planning. Attendees will gain insights into the evolving cyber-physical threat landscape and practical strategies for securing communications networks and private cellular infrastructure against emerging threats.
Duke Energy foresees a substantial increase in cellular connected devices over the next two decades, prompting the need for cost management and improved processes in device activation and administration. To address this, the company plans to implement a single programmable SIM card capable of supporting multiple carrier profiles, offering scalable and cost-effective connectivity solutions. By establishing partnerships with the three major providers - Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, and T-Mobile - Duke Energy aims to maximize the benefits of a multi-carrier SIM card approach, optimizing value and efficiency for their expanding network of grid devices
With the growing adoption of private LTE networks, utility companies face challenges in scaling operations while ensuring robust security. This session explores integrating Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Zero Touch ZTNA (ZT-ZTNA) to enhance security and agility. Join OneLayer's expert and [Name, Utility company name, Role] as they discuss leveraging ZTNA technologies to prevent unauthorized access, automate device onboarding, and ensure comprehensive network visibility. Discover how utilities can manage a growing number of devices with robust security and visibility, ultimately delivering better service to millions of customers, ensuring uninterrupted service, and fulfilling the potential of strategic sustainability transformation plans for customers and stakeholders.
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The 2025 Innovation Zone will change the way you engage with technology providers. Connect with peers and gain unparalleled access to industry leaders as only UBBA can bring!
This year the All-Attendee Dinner Party will be held at the legendary NASCAR Hall of Fame! The Hall of Fame will be all UBBA all evening with complete access to the historical exhibits, legendary gear, and yes, simulators!
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is just a short walk from the Westin and is located at: 400 East Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28202
BADGES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES
pLTE enabled by 800 MHz Band 26 spectrum to achieve grid resilience and total grid orchestration: pLTE/5G powered by 800 MHz Band 26’s ability to support cybersecurity, enhancing encryption, access control and authentication and dynamic Quality of Services (QoS) • Platform for Future Requirements: How pLTE/5G powered by 800 MHz Band 26 is scalable, adaptable to utilities’ evolving needs and sets the foundation for future growth and innovation including enabling distributed sensors including distributed PMU’s for anomaly detection, momentary outages, state estimation and real time grid network engineering optimization
Join us for an insightful session on TECO's PLTE journey, where we'll look into some valuable lessons learned, the strategies that have proven successful, and the areas we would recommend others take a different approach to achieve even greater success. We'll examine the critical decision points as TECO prepared to "go live," and the knowledge and skills TECO needed for a successful deployment. From system design through the sequence of approach, we would like to share some lessons from the project to help others on their path to a utility-grade LTE/5G network.
This session focuses on the evolution from AMI 1.0 to AMI 2.0, examining key use cases and considerations for utilities adopting advanced metering infrastructure. Join Nokia and SCE for insights on the need for Open Standards for AMI. Transitioning from mesh only to direct-to-meter/mesh hyrbrid approach: Why this shift is significant and where direct-to-meter is effective? Supporting AMI traffic with evolving technologies: Evaluating the impact of NB-IoT, CAT-M, and LTE on bandwidth utilization and network performance. How bandwidths of 3MHz & 5MHz can cater to the various AMI 2.0 use cases.
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This presentation will review strategies for connecting DER assets behind the meter for a set of Low Voltage DERMS use cases. A variety of connectivity methods will be assessed, including cloud-to-cloud, direct cellular and Wi-Fi behind-the-meter communications. For each connectivity alternative, we will describe applicability to run industry standard application protocols such as OpenADR 2.0b, IEEE 2030.5, OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol), DNP3 and ICCP (Inter-Control Center Communications Protocol). The session will be supported by Itron as a DERMS vendor, and we will use their IntelliFLEX platform and 20-year experience of delivering customer programs in North America for some real-world examples.
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As grid modernization efforts ramp up, the value of automated network device deployment will quickly become apparent. When deployment efforts were limited to small numbers of endpoints, the inefficiency of manual modem/network element deployment methods may have been tolerable. But as grid modernization efforts drive up the count of grid sensors and control points, the manual effort associated with deploying communication devices will force a change in where and how this work gets done. There are at least three individual components requiring provisioning to get one modem deployed to serve a utility use case. Utilities have made substantial investments in their asset management systems and appear to be a wise choice to be the focal point of automating these transactions. By centralizing the control of the automated provisioning steps, utilities can leverage their existing asset management investments and related operational processes while achieving automated provisioning for all PLTE devices. This presentation will provide background information about novel provisioning architecture concepts and first-hand knowledge from Evergy to support utility client’s private LTE device deployments.
The AVEVA PI System, with its robust network communications, enables seamless data collection and real-time monitoring from thousands of end devices, ensuring comprehensive visibility and control over industrial operations. This connectivity facilitates enhanced decision-making, predictive maintenance, and optimized performance across the enterprise. All Metering Reading (Headend) systems collect interval + scalar usage and meter events/alerts across various types of network communications, enabling the use of AMI data for enhanced operational efficiencies beyond the collection of usage for billing customers. This AMI meter and related network device connectivity facilitates enhanced identification of problem meters and industrial routers and enhances Outage Management power out and power restoration validation processes.
Join industry leaders from Nokia and SCE as they share invaluable insights into the complexities of RAN Site Development, turning development challenges into site readiness. This session will delve into key strategies and best practices for utilities exploring the adoption of Private Wireless Networks, focusing on: Leveraging existing infrastructure while preparing for future advancements; Streamlining site designs to address power requirements, transmission needs, and optimal tower space utilization. Building a precise digital twin inventory for enhanced site design and configuration accuracy.
The 2025 Innovation Zone will change the way you engage with technology providers. Connect with peers and gain unparalleled access to industry leaders as only UBBA can bring!