WOODLAND PARK, N.J. and CHICAGO, Jan. 13,
2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Xcel Energy will use a new
wireless telecommunications tool that can help the company respond
more quickly to local electric outages and support advanced grid
'smart meters' that will provide more information to customers
about their energy use.
The 900 MHz private wireless broadband network will be installed
at two existing Xcel Energy sites in Minneapolis. In addition to helping launch
advanced grid efforts, the network will allow Xcel Energy to
provide cyber protection to critical infrastructure and could
eventually be expanded to support automated technology throughout
metro and remote rural locations. The network will be developed by
Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) using Anterix's (NASDAQ: ATEX) 900
MHz spectrum.
"Xcel Energy is supporting our customers by introducing new
technology that will enable several improvements. The addition of
tools in the future will give our customers greater insight into
their energy use, help us respond more quickly to local power
outages, and provide enhanced communication technology to support
our field operations," said Tim
Peterson, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice
President, Xcel Energy. "This new telecommunications technology
will provide a basis for new solutions, which can improve grid
operations, enhance system security, and ultimately deliver a
better experience for our customers."
The availability of wireless broadband spectrum in the 900 MHz
band resulting from the FCC's recent actions now allows critical
infrastructure providers, such as Xcel Energy, to deploy private
networks that enable secure and resilient electric grids. Motorola
Solutions' LXN 7900 fixed LTE 900 MHz infrastructure, in
combination with its Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS)-based
Nitro™ network, will enable the seamless exchange of voice and data
across private LTE broadband and existing LMR networks. A future
roll-out of a broader private LTE deployment could be accelerated
by leveraging Xcel Energy's existing investments in LMR site
locations and infrastructure to support existing and new
grid-of-the-future applications.
"We look forward to working with Xcel Energy as they catalogue
the benefits of private broadband for voice, data and IoT
communications," said Scott
Schoepel, Vice President, Global Enterprise, Motorola
Solutions. "As utility operations become increasingly complex and
the electrical grid ever more automated, private broadband will
support the necessary data speeds, capacity and security, as well
as the technology and analytics, needed to support modern and
resilient utility infrastructure."
"At Anterix, our goal is to deliver transformative broadband
that enables the modernization of critical infrastructure for the
utility sector. We are excited to work with Xcel Energy as they
continue their long-standing commitment to leverage advanced
technology to enable better service to their customers," said
Rob Schwartz, President & CEO of
Anterix. "In partnership with Motorola Solutions, we plan to
demonstrate the efficiency, resiliency and security provided by
private LTE and validate how private LTE can not only support
modernization of the grid and operations for Xcel Energy customers
in Minneapolis, but also pioneer
the future of broadband communications for the entire utility
industry."
About Anterix
At Anterix, we are focused on delivering transformative
broadband that enables the modernization of critical infrastructure
for the energy, transportation, logistics and other sectors of our
economy. As the largest holder of licensed spectrum in the 900 MHz
band, with nationwide coverage throughout the contiguous
United States, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto
Rico, we are uniquely positioned to enable the private LTE
broadband solutions that support secure, resilient and
customer-controlled operations.
About Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions is a global leader in mission-critical
communications and analytics. Our technology platforms in
mission-critical communications, command center software, video
security & analytics, bolstered by managed & support
services, make communities safer and help businesses stay
productive and secure. At Motorola Solutions, we are ushering in a
new era in public safety and security. Learn more at
www.motorolasolutions.com.
About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers
millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and
Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader
in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and
delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable
sources at competitive prices. For more information,
visit xcelenergy.com or follow us
on Twitter and Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Anterix
Natasha Vecchiarelli
Director of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
973-531-4397
Anterix
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
James Fuller
Executive Vice President
240-393-1369
Motorola Solutions
Michelle Quivey
(312) 218-0010
michelle.quivey@motorolasolutions.com
Xcel Energy
Randy Fordice
612-215-5300
Randy.l.fordice@xcelenergy.com
Forward-looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not
describe historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined
under the Federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements
include statements regarding: (i) Xcel's proposed pilot program
will demonstrate the benefits of utilizing Anterix's 900 MHz
spectrum to deploy a private LTE network in its service area, (ii)
Xcel will elect to license Anterix's 900 MHz spectrum following its
pilot program, and (iii) Anterix will be successful in obtaining
Broadband licenses in Xcel's service area. Any such
forward-looking statements are based on Anterix's current
expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties
that could cause its actual future results to differ materially
from its current expectations or those implied by the
forward-looking statements, including: (i) Xcel's pilot program may
not be successful or may not demonstrate sufficient benefits to
cause Xcel to lease Anterix's 900 MHz spectrum; (ii) Anterix may
not be able to obtain broadband licenses on favorable terms and on
a timely basis, or at all; (iii) Anterix may not be successful in
commercializing its spectrum assets to its targeted critical
infrastructure and enterprise customers; (iv) Anterix has a limited
operating history with its proposed business plan, which makes it
difficult to evaluate its prospects and future financial results;
and (v) the ongoing coronavirus outbreak could adversely impact
Anterix's business, including its broadband licensing and
commercialization efforts. These risks and uncertainties and other
factors that may affect Anterix's future results of operations are
identified and described in more detail in its filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including its
Quarterly Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on
November 16, 2020. You should not
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required
by applicable law, Anterix does not intend to update any of the
forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual
results, later events or circumstances, or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.
MOTOROLA, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings,
LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners. ©2021 Motorola Solutions, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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SOURCE Anterix Inc.