NOVEMBER - JANUARYTELECOM BUSINESS REVIEW9management for devices accessing the utility's LTE network. The hosting partner's LTE engineers and network experts manage the complexities of the wireless network, so a utility does not have to add the required LTE network expertise to their team. In this private, hosted LTE core service model, the LTE hosting partner can remotely make parameter changes, software updates, and security patches to a utility's LTE sites, ensuring the LTE sites are always aligned with the hosting partner's EPC and further removing the need for a utility to carry employees with specific LTE skillsets. In this private, hosted LTE core service model (which is piloted by several small- and medium-sized utilities and evaluated by several more), each utility must gain access to their own wireless LTE frequencies called spectrum. Typically, the spectrum is categorized as low-band, mid-band, or high-band. Each category has tradeoffs concerning cost, coverage, speed, and availability. A utility's specific use case ultimately drives the decision on which spectrum band is best for the deployment of a private, LTE network. An LTE hosting partner can be a resource for education and help in this area. The LTE core hosting service model is scalable, cost-effective, and efficient, reducing the complexity and timeframe for deployment and meeting the broadband network needs of a small to medium-sized electric utility. This wireless solution provides utilities coverage and capacity for grid modernization, grid resiliency, and security efforts. (Southern Linc partners with Ericsson to develop private LTE networks using the LTE core hosting service model.)About Southern LincSouthern Linc is a wireless communications company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Company. Southern Linc delivers reliable, highly secure wireless voice and data services via the CriticalLincTM 4G LTE Advanced network to Southern Company electric utilities and multiple businesses and public sector agencies across Alabama, Georgia, and southeastern Mississippi. The CriticalLinc network provides over-the-air encryption from devices to towers and supports encryption from towers to the network's core data centers. This mission-critical network design conveys a suite of LTE services supporting the most critical business processes.About Southern CompanySouthern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Our mission is to provide clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy with excellent service. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers' and communities' needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental, and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, and Human Rights Campaign. David WoodhamA PRIVATE, HOSTED LTE CORE SERVICE IS A SCALABLE, COST-EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MODEL THAT CAN MEET A UTILITY'S PRIVATE BROADBAND NETWORK NEEDS
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