Private Networks: Powering the Energy Industry

Natacha Baroni, Head of Energy Product Marketing at T-Mobile for Business

Digitization of utilities and oil and gas companies offers immense value potential for the energy sector. Utilities are adopting advanced metering infrastructures to incorporate an abundance of distributed energy resources and smart appliances. Oil and gas companies are implementing IoT to optimize drilling and production and upgrade maintenance and field operations. However, revolutionizing the energy industry also requires incumbents to implement solutions that boost data transmission and connectivity capabilities while extending them exactly where they’re needed.

Networks in the energy industry currently use a patchwork of technologies at various stages of development. To transform operations, you need to connect thousands of devices spread over miles of territory with a single 5G- and LTE-powered private network that supports fast, secure, high-throughput communications—and that’s easier to manage than assorted technologies.

5G and LTE technologies enable a multi-service private network that gives you the capacity to meet customer demand for enhanced experiences, face challenges from aggressive competitors, adopt wireless solutions to upgrade operations, and improve efficiencies.

Five key benefits

Private networks bolster connectivity.

Private wireless networks segregate traffic from the public macro network. With lower latency and higher bandwidth, they promote greater efficiencies, reliability, safety, and security—and cut operating costs. Here’s a closer look at the five ways private networks will revolutionize the energy industry.

Efficiencies: Private networks allow data collection, communication, and analysis in real time, supporting fast and effective decision-making. By accelerating transmission of critical data, such as sensor readings, companies can better monitor equipment performance and predict maintenance needs, cutting downtime and increasing efficiency.

T-Mobile’s experts will work with you from beginning to end to help you select a network solution and achieve your modernization goals.

Reliability: In remote and challenging environments, private networks provide the dependable and robust connectivity for communication and coordination between field workers and operations centers. The dedicated and secure communication channel lowers the risk of interference and breaches. If necessary, private networks can also failover to the public commercial network, keeping critical infrastructure operating even in an outage or crisis.

Safety: Private networks support real-time environmental monitoring and video surveillance of potential hazards, such as leaks or equipment malfunctions, along with instantaneous alerts. In an emergency, the ability to communicate rapidly helps shorten response time. And by supporting drones and autonomous equipment, private networks let machines take over jobs too dangerous for humans, minimizing accidents and injuries.

Data security: Separation from public networks lets private networks provide more secure communication and data storage, protecting sensitive information from cyber threats and keeping data contained on-site. You can also configure private networks with advanced security protocols for an extra layer of protection and design them with specific requirements to control network access and user privilege.

Reduced operating costs: Using private networks optimizes operations and reduces downtime. By supporting automation and autonomous systems, private networks reduce the need for manual monitoring, inspections, and maintenance. In addition, private networks move operations away from costly copper lease lines and satellite links.

Partnership & service

T-Mobile for Business can guide your transition.

T-Mobile’s experts will work with you from beginning to end to help you select a network solution and achieve your modernization goals. Contact T-Mobile for Business for further information.

T-Mobile for Business is helping energy companies to improve connected customer experiences with the country's largest and fastest 5G network. At T-Mobile for Business, we're focused on providing your business with connectivity solutions and dedicated, exceptional service you need to help you stay ahead. To learn more about how T-Mobile is architecting integrated solutions for energy providers that revolutionize digital transformation by leveraging the power and capabilities of 5G, visit our Energy industry page.

About the author:

Natacha Baroni is the Head of Energy Product Marketing at T-Mobile for Business, with over a decade of experience enabling customers in the energy industry improve efficiency, digital transformation, and safety. Specializing in marketing and product management, Natacha uses her experience to bring industry and customer perspectives into the development of business initiatives and go to market strategies to best meet industry needs.

Natacha holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and an MBA from Olin Business School, Washington University in St. Louis.

Fastest: Based on median, overall combined 5G speeds according to analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 5G download speeds for Q1 2023. See 5G device, coverage, & access details at T-Mobile.com.

Private Networks are driving digital transformation in energy.

Private Networks: powering the energy industry transition.

Five key benefits

Partnership & service

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Private networks bolster connectivity.

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T-Mobile for Business can guide your transition.

About the author: