Ericsson, NRTC, Southern Linc and Anterix ink landmark agreements to deliver connectivity for rural electric cooperatives across the U.S.

Rhea-AI Summary

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has announced a landmark collaboration with NRTC, Southern Linc, and Anterix (NASDAQ: ATEX) to deliver cutting-edge private network solutions to electric cooperatives across the United States. This partnership aims to provide reliable, resilient, and secure network infrastructure for modernizing grid infrastructure.

Key aspects of the collaboration include:

• NRTC augmenting its fiber capabilities with Ericsson's cellular and microwave technologies
• Southern Linc providing core hosting solutions
• Anterix offering 900 MHz spectrum and ecosystem access
• Enabling co-ops to construct, own, and maintain LTE/5G-ready sites

This initiative is set to revolutionize co-op communications, setting new standards for reliability and security in the digital age.

Positive

• Strategic partnership to deliver advanced private network solutions for electric cooperatives
• Combination of Ericsson's technology, Southern Linc's core hosting, and Anterix's spectrum resources
• Potential for increased market penetration in the rural electric cooperative sector
• Opportunity to set new industry standards for grid infrastructure modernization

Negative

• None.

Telecommunications Industry Analyst

This collaboration marks a significant development in rural telecommunications infrastructure. By combining Ericsson's network technology, NRTC's co-op expertise, Southern Linc's core hosting and Anterix's spectrum, the partnership addresses a critical gap in rural connectivity. The focus on LTE/5G-ready solutions suggests a forward-thinking approach, potentially future-proofing rural networks.

The deal could accelerate grid modernization in rural areas, which has lagged behind urban centers. This may lead to improved service reliability and new revenue streams for co-ops. However, the financial impact on individual companies remains unclear without specific contract values or revenue projections.

For investors, this partnership could signal long-term growth opportunities in the rural telecom sector, particularly for Ericsson and Anterix. The scalability of the solution across numerous co-ops nationwide presents a substantial market opportunity, albeit with potential challenges in implementation and adoption rates.

Energy Infrastructure Specialist

This partnership is a game-changer for rural electric grid modernization. By integrating advanced telecommunications with existing power infrastructure, co-ops can significantly enhance grid resilience and efficiency. The ability to construct and own LTE/5G-ready sites aligns with the trend towards utility-owned communications networks, potentially reducing long-term operational costs.

The collaboration addresses key challenges facing rural utilities, including cybersecurity threats and aging infrastructure. Implementing private LTE networks could lead to improved outage response times and more efficient resource allocation. However, the initial investment required from co-ops may be substantial, which could impact short-term financials.

For investors, this initiative represents a growing market at the intersection of energy and telecommunications. The potential for increased service reliability and new smart grid applications could drive long-term value for participating companies, particularly Anterix with its spectrum assets.

Rural Economic Development Expert

This partnership has the potential to significantly impact rural economic development. Improved telecommunications infrastructure is often a catalyst for attracting businesses and retaining population in rural areas. The focus on creating and supporting local jobs aligns with broader rural revitalization efforts.

The collaboration could lead to increased digital inclusion in underserved communities, potentially narrowing the urban-rural digital divide. This may result in improved access to telemedicine, remote work opportunities and online education for rural residents. However, the success of this initiative will depend on effective implementation and the ability of co-ops to manage the new technology.

For investors, the long-term implications could be positive for rural-focused companies. Enhanced infrastructure may lead to increased property values and business growth in rural areas, potentially benefiting a wide range of sectors beyond just telecommunications and utilities.

PLANO, Texas, Aug. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today announced a landmark collaboration with NRTC, Southern Linc, and Anterix (NASDAQ: ATEX) to deliver cutting-edge private network solutions to electric cooperatives (co-ops) of all sizes and service terrains across the United States. This strategic partnership aims to provide reliable, resilient, and secure network infrastructure, empowering co-ops to meet the challenges of modernizing the grid infrastructure and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery to communities nationwide.

"Our collaboration with NRTC, Anterix, and Southern Linc underscores Ericsson's dedication to advancing secure and resilient communications infrastructure for co-ops across North America," said Eric Boudriau, Vice President and Head of Customer Unit Regional Customers, Ericsson North America. "We are proud to contribute our solutions to this initiative, ensuring that NRTC members have access to state-of-the-art technology that meets their evolving needs and maximizes their resources."

NRTC will augment its existing fiber design and construction capabilities with Ericsson's expertise in cellular and microwave communications technologies, Southern Linc's core hosting solutions, and Anterix's 900 MHz spectrum as well as their 115+ member Active Ecosystem, to provide mission-critical smart-grid network solutions designed to meet members' specific use case, geographic, and deployment requirements. The partnership will also allow NRTC members to construct, own, secure, and physically maintain LTE/5G-ready sites as needed to provide wireless coverage and capacity for legacy system retirement and grid modernization objectives.

"We are thrilled to partner with Ericsson, Southern Linc, and Anterix," said Joe Walsh, Vice President of Smart Grid Networking at NRTC. "This collaboration closes a critical gap that rural electric cooperatives will face as they modernize their grid infrastructure. Together, we're forging a path towards unparalleled connectivity, resilience, and security, ensuring that communities across the U.S. have access to the cutting-edge solutions they need to thrive."

Southern Linc's core hosting solution brings Ericsson's dual-mode 5G Core solution, built on Ericsson's Cloud Native Infrastructure, to NRTC member cooperatives and will provide the core connectivity for the private Radio Access Network. Combined with Ericsson Router 6000 and MINI-LINK 6000 offerings, this will provide a comprehensive framework for utilities to enhance their network capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of security and reliability. This partnership represents a significant step forward in bolstering the resilience of critical infrastructure and addressing the challenges posed by inclement weather, cybersecurity threats, and aging infrastructure.

"Our mission is to empower electric cooperatives to build a robust and future-proof network infrastructure that can withstand the demands of the modern world," said Southern Linc Engineering Director Alan McIntyre. "By collaborating with Ericsson and NRTC, we are ensuring that utilities of all sizes have access to the latest private network solutions, enabling them to deliver highly reliable service to their communities."

"Our agreement with NRTC, and its collaboration with Ericsson and Southern Linc, will provide NRTC's utility cooperatives with the ability to directly access our 900 MHz spectrum, our 900 MHz platform and solutions, and the Anterix Active Ecosystem members and their offerings," said Alice Moy-Gonzalez, Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at Anterix. "I believe that this collaboration, when combined with our current seven utility customers deploying in fifteen states, will deliver significant scale and scope benefits to our nation's electric cooperatives as they develop and deploy private LTE networks."

Through this collaboration, Ericsson, NRTC, Southern Linc, and Anterix are poised to revolutionize the landscape of co-op communications, setting new standards for reliability, resilience, and security in the digital age, working toward the well-being of communities, and the creation and support of local jobs and communities.

ABOUT ANTERIX:
At Anterix, we engage with leading utilities and technology companies to harness the power of 900 MHz broadband for modernized grid solutions. Leading an ecosystem of more than 100 members, we offer utility-first solutions to modernize the grid and solve the challenges that utilities are facing today. As the largest holder of licensed spectrum in the 900 MHz band (896-901/935-940 MHz) throughout the contiguous United States, plus Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, we are uniquely positioned to enable private wireless broadband solutions that support cutting-edge advanced communications capabilities for a cleaner, safer, and more secure energy future. To learn more and join the 900 MHz movement, please visit www.anterix.com.

ABOUT ERICSSON:
Ericsson enables communications service providers and enterprises to capture the full value of connectivity. The company's portfolio spans the following business areas: Networks, Cloud Software and Services, Enterprise Wireless Solutions, Global Communications Platform, and Technologies and New Businesses. It is designed to help our customers go digital, increase efficiency and find new revenue streams. Ericsson's innovation investments have delivered the benefits of mobility and mobile broadband to billions of people globally. Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on Nasdaq New York. www.ericsson.com

ABOUT NRTC:
We are Member Driven and Technology Focused. NRTC provides solutions that help our 1,500 electric and telephone members bring all of the advantages of today's evolving technology to rural America. NRTC's Broadband, Smart Grid, Managed Services and Mobile solutions are developed specifically to meet the needs of rural utilities, their communities and their customers. We help our members evaluate, build, operate and maximize their critical network infrastructure. www.nrtc.coop

ABOUT SOUTHERN LINC:
Southern Linc is a wireless communications company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Company. Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy distribution company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Southern Linc delivers highly reliable, highly secure wireless voice and data services via the CriticalLinc™ 4G LTE Advanced network to Southern Company electric utilities as well as to a wide range of 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 highly reliable suite of LTE services that will support the most critical business processes.

CONTACT: Jannie Tong, jannie.tong@ericsson.com

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SOURCE Ericsson

FAQ

What is the purpose of Ericsson's collaboration with NRTC, Southern Linc, and Anterix?

The collaboration aims to deliver cutting-edge private network solutions to electric cooperatives across the United States, providing reliable, resilient, and secure network infrastructure for modernizing grid systems.

How will this partnership benefit electric cooperatives?

It will allow co-ops to construct, own, secure, and maintain LTE/5G-ready sites, meeting their specific coverage and capacity needs for grid modernization and legacy system retirement.

What technologies are being combined in this Ericsson (ERIC) partnership?

The partnership combines Ericsson's cellular and microwave technologies, Southern Linc's core hosting solutions, and Anterix's 900 MHz spectrum, along with NRTC's existing fiber capabilities.

When was this collaboration between Ericsson (ERIC) and partners announced?

The collaboration was announced on August 6, 2024, as per the press release.