Vertical: Utilities
Application: MCPTT, data, video
Ecosystem: Anterix, Nokia, Ericsson, Sonim, Cisco, Samsung
Private Network: LTE
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) recently announced they will be testing a private LTE network across their service area using 900 MHz spectrum leased from Anterix. This private network promises to greatly expand its communications capabilities.
Currently, the LCRA relies on public cellular networks to connect many of their assets including remote hydroelectric dams and electrical substations. By deploying their own private LTE network, they will get dedicated spectrum allowing them to ensure the high reliability and low latency connectivity many of their services require.
Created by the Texas legislature 90 years ago in 1934, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has an expansive mandate – managing a crucial section of the Colorado River and supplying affordable electricity and water to over a million Texans.
The LCRA manages the lower 600 miles of the Colorado River within Texas. This includes operating six dams and reservoirs that provide water to more than 1.4 million people as well as businesses, industries, and farmers across Central Texas. Beyond water, they are one of the largest public power providers in the state, getting electricity to over 30 electric cooperatives and municipalities through their own power plants and over 5,400 miles of transmission lines. Additionally, the LCRA oversees over 40 public parks along the Colorado River from the Gulf Coast to the Hill Country.
“This will help us take our wireless communications system to the next level. The network will provide a host of upgrades that will benefit LCRA and our customers by significantly improving data transmission, overall communication capabilities, and resilience,” said Ken Price, LCRA’s chief operating officer.
The 900 MHz spectrum the LCRA is leasing from Anterix is also ideal for covering the large rural expanses of Central Texas in their service territory. 900 MHz signals propagate further and better penetrate obstacles than higher frequency cellular spectrum. LCRA will be deploying 13 test sites throughout the state.
