Utility Broadband Alliance announces formalization as not-for-profit dedicated to developing private LTE broadband

With its incorporation as a not-for-profit this year, the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) aims to make waves for utility critical infrastructure by promoting and developing private LTE broadband networks.

UBBA has appointed Ali Mohammed of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) as chairman for its first Board of Directors. The board also draws from Ameren, Palmetto Technology Associates, Anterix, Southern Linc, and Burns & McDonnell.

“Successful organizations require a lot of hard work and dedication from a team of people,” Mohammed said. “As the first Chairman of the Utility Broadband Alliance, I am honored that this team appointed me to lead the Alliance through incorporation and launch. The utility-led committees and the great technology vendor-members have done outstanding work building participation and providing new learning experiences for UBBA members.”

While the alliance’s initial goals were to drive business and utilize cases and technical requirements, it will now push into utility network testbeds and regulatory challenges. Beyond those companies with members on the board, it also includes organizations such as General Electric, 4RF, Cisco, Evergy, Ericsson, Hitachi-ABB, JEA, NRTC, Southern California Edison, World Wide Technology, Xcel Energy, and more.

“We accomplished a lot in the first 18-months and have set a path forward to continue to provide outstanding member value in the years ahead,” John Hughes of Ameren, the board’s new vice-chair, said. “There has been a great need for UBBA within the utilities industry for several years and for utilities and ecosystem companies to come together to answer the need means that many utilities across the country can get answers to strategic questions about broadband network deployment strategies.”