A large Utility company based in Estonia is investigating options for deployment of a private LTE network in the 450 MHz frequency range to support its aspirations for a highly robust communications fabric.

Such a network is viewed as essential to facilitate full smart grid functionality and thus support widespread adoption of electric vehicles, further increase in use of distributed renewable generation facilities & grid level storage – all of which will contribute significantly towards the carbon reduction objectives set out by the United Nations as part of the Kyoto and Paris climate agreements.

The ever-increasing number of addressable devices in energy networks coupled with significant bandwidth requirements represent a scale and complexity which has not previously been encountered in utility field area networks. This rise in capability is conservatively estimated to be at least two or three orders of magnitude increase compared to legacy narrow band, proprietary systems.

The 450 MHz frequency band was previously used for a CDMA network in Estonia which has now largely fallen out of use. Proposed activities would initially include engagement with the regulator and plans for a proof of concept / trial. This would follow recent successful developments of 400 MHz LTE systems for utilities in Ireland & Poland along with ongoing discussions in Germany, UK, Holland, Portugal and Brazil.