First dedicated mission-critical LTE network in the U.S.
Learn how Southern Linc improved worker safety, network reliability, and business opportunities by partnering with Ericsson to design and build a first-of-its-kind private 4G LTE Advanced network.
Highlights
Southern Linc provides the mission-critical wireless network used to help keep Southern Company’s electric utilities up and running along with emergency response teams and businesses across Southern Company’s service territory in the southeast U.S. When its legacy iDEN network could no longer handle growing data demands, Southern Linc partnered with Ericsson to build the first dedicated mission-critical LTE network in the U.S. The 4G LTE Advanced network scales to handle 100 times more data at speeds up to 1,000 times faster than was possible on the iDEN network, and enables Southern Linc to deploy new applications and solutions 80 percent faster, further improving its capabilities and expanding its service offerings.
Southern Linc has modernized their private network to LTE from Ericsson to ensure that they're offering their customers the security and reliability that they need today with a pathway to future technological advancements.
The challenge
Southern Linc’s legacy network—an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN)—was aging and could not support expected data demands:
- Ensuring worker safety and efficiency
When accidents or line faults occur, the location must be quickly identified and crews dispatched promptly while ensuring their safety in the field. - Rapidly growing demand for data
The communication network plays a key role in proactively identifying transmission and distribution issues to help prevent service disruptions. This requires fast, reliable data transmission from SCADA systems and IoT devices distributed all across Southern Linc’s 127,000 square mile service area.
The solution
Southern Linc deployed the first dedicated mission-critical LTE network in the U.S. built on Ericsson wireless technologies:
Ericsson Services
- Full Turnkey Services:
- Site and Core Installation
- Integration
- Scripting
- Network Optimization & Testing
- Acceptance Test Plans
- Systems Integration (Communication Services, Packet Core)
- 24/7 Customer Support Services
- Software Upgrades
Solution Advantages
- Single future-proof network supporting multiple applications
- Lower total cost of ownership
- Faster return on investment
- Higher capacity and coverage
- Lower latency
- Reduced interference
- Lower cost per megabit
The result
Today, Southern Linc’s 4G LTE Advanced network—called CriticalLinc—stands apart from wireless networks offered by commercial carriers due to its high levels of security and resilience designed to support truly mission-critical services, bringing enhanced value across the business:
80% faster deployment of new applications and solutions
The LTE network enabled Southern Linc to accelerate deployment of new capabilities such as transmission SCADA, substation automation, and an intelligent line fault indicator solution.
Easily handles growing volumes of mission-critical data
Southern Linc can now pursue advanced, data-intensive solutions because the LTE network is able to handle 100 times more data at speeds up to 1,000 times faster than was possible on the iDEN network.
Provides platform for future business capabilities
The future-proof LTE network supports multiple types of applications, enabling Southern Linc to pursue capabilities such as vibration monitoring on transmission towers, location-based services to streamline dispatching work orders, and automated lighting controls.
Creates opportunities to develop new network-enabled revenue streams
Southern Linc is leveraging the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) and Ericsson fixed wireless access technology to extend wireless services to more remote regions served by Alabama Power.
