The Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA), a collaboration of utilities and solution providers committed to advancing private broadband networks for critical infrastructure industries, today announced the launch of a new research program dedicated to uncovering lessons and opportunities from the use of private broadband in utility operations. Led by 35-year industry veteran and analyst Mike Smith, The Utility Broadband Revolution: Insights from the Utility Broadband Alliance research program will feature experiences, data and analysis from utility industry telecommunications, operations and information technology (IT) leaders and practitioners highlighting the ways high-speed communications are supercharging their preparedness efforts amid the rapidly evolving energy landscape.

From coordinating distributed energy resources to enabling next-gen advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and more, utilities across the globe are harnessing private LTE networks to help create a more secure, resilient and sustainable grid. The Insights program will shine a spotlight on how organizations are leveraging these networks to solve the industry’s most pressing challenges while preparing the grid to meet future demands.

“This is an exciting time in the utility industry as the advancing capabilities of high-speed communications networks align with leaders’ strategic imperative to modernize the grid,” said Smith. “We are excited to discover learnings and hear from utility and industry thought leaders about how their investments in these networks have resulted in new opportunities for innovation. Our hope is that the program will give utility and solution provider leaders the data they need to leverage advanced communication to meet their growing needs amid the ongoing transformation of the grid.”

Beginning in January 2026, the Insights program will include a comprehensive report as well as a series of blogs, webinars featuring utility broadband leaders sharing their insights and experiences and a special session at the UBBA Summit & Plugfest in October 2026. The program will continue annually with new content, data and perspectives from UBBA members. 

“Utilities are hungry for insights into the real-world applications of private communications networks for utility operations and the extended business benefits the technology ultimately provides to utility customers,” said Bobbi Harris, executive director, UBBA. “This program will give our members and others in the industry actionable data, lessons learned and a path forward to help seize opportunities to innovate. We are thrilled to have Mike Smith bring his leadership and experience to this program and we have no doubt that the results will prove invaluable to our members now and in the years to come.” 

The Utility Broadband Revolution: Insights from the Utility Broadband Alliance research program is currently accepting a limited number of program sponsors. To learn more or to sponsor the research program, contact [email protected].