The Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA), a collaboration of utilities and solution providers dedicated to championing private broadband networks for critical infrastructure industries, is marking five years of accelerating private broadband adoption to enable utility grid modernization, drive operational use cases and support the energy transition. The milestone—celebrated at DTECH 2026—signals UBBA’s next phase of growth, with new members and a newly elected Board of Directors strengthening its role in advancing communications for critical infrastructure.

Incorporated in 2021, UBBA has grown to more than 115 utility industry stakeholders, all focused on the goal of helping utilities use private broadband communications to enable a more resilient, modern grid. UBBA’s mission extends across the utility value chain, with dedicated initiatives and efforts centered around creating awareness for the benefits of private LTE with C-suite executives, network managers, IT professionals and other utility stakeholders across all levels of their organizations.

As UBBA looks ahead to continued growth, new member organizations joining the UBBA mission in 2026 include:

• Energy Sciences Network (ESnet)
• Future Technologies Venture, LLC
• Jackson Electric Membership Cooperative
• Lerman Senter, PLLC
• Tesco Metering
• Texas A&M University Center for Applied Communications and Networks

Additionally, the UBBA members that have been elected to its Board of Directors include: 

• Chairman: Russ Ehrlich, senior manager, Digital Grid, Exelon Utilities
• Vice Chairman: Tim Spyers, senior manager, OT networking & PLTE, Ameren 
• Secretary: Adam Nathan, area sales director for Utility & Energy industries, World Wide Technology
• Treasurer: Mar Tarres, vice president of commercial operations, Anterix
• Elaine Allyn, senior manager, enterprise infrastructure, San Diego Gas & Electric 
• Tom Bedics, manager of engineering and operations, SouthernLINC Wireless
• Travis Blalack, director, networking & telecommunications, Southern California Edison
• Jason Ervin, senior vice president, telecommunications, Lower Colorado River Authority
• Ron Griffith, information technology manager, Xcel Energy
• Jon Conway, vice president and managing director, utility telecommunications & automation, Burns & McDonnell
• Dana Jaber Diab, vice president of sale, utilities, Ericsson
• Jeff Pittman, head of enterprise market unit for mobile networks, Nokia

“UBBA has evolved from an industry consortium into a global movement with real benefits for utilities and their customers,” said Russ Ehrlich, Chairman of the UBBA Board. “In just five years, the Alliance’s momentum has been extraordinary, as utilities increasingly recognize private LTE as a cornerstone of grid modernization, operational excellence and digital transformation. I am excited to work with the UBBA board and its leadership to help steer UBBA into its next chapter as we accelerate innovation across the entire utility value chain.”

In addition to welcoming its new board members, UBBA is launching multiple initiatives in 2026 to spearhead its continued innovation and industry impact. These include in-person showcase events at member utilities across the United States; the upcoming launch of its Utility Broadband Revolution: Insights from the Utility Broadband Alliance research program; and a half-day executive roundtable event at the annual UBBA Summit & Plugfest, taking place Oct. 13-15, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. 

“Utilities around the world are deploying private LTE networks to strengthen cybersecurity, power AMI 2.0 systems, accelerate outage response and support countless other critical initiatives,” said Bobbi Harris, executive director of UBBA. “The benefits of these networks extend well beyond utility operations, delivering measurable bottom-line business value. Our five years of sustained growth underscore the return utilities are realizing from these investments, and we look forward to another exciting year as we continue to build momentum.”

UBBA is exhibiting at DTECH 2026 in San Diego, Feb. 3-5 in Booth #1111. To schedule a briefing to learn more about the organization, please email [email protected]. To learn more about UBBA, its mission and its 2026 initiatives, visit www.UBBA.com.