PGE, Ericsson connect the Polish energy sector with resilient network infra

PGE Dystrybucja, the Polish distribution system operator supplying electricity to over five million customers, is set to modernize Poland's energy infrastructure, ensuring more stable energy supplies, faster service delivery, and enhanced reliability in the energy industry.

According to a new agreement with Ericsson, the LTE450 network for the energy sector will utilize Ericsson’s state-of-the-art outdoor cabinets across 510 radio sites, each providing an impressive 36-hour backup using smart lithium batteries.

The LTE450 network for the energy sector will facilitate real-time access to data from millions of connected IoT devices, offering reliable broadband services for grid management, and enabling seamless integration of renewable energy. Additionally, it will provide essential communication capabilities for incident management. This deployment will be supported by experts from Ericsson's R&D centers in Łódź and Kraków, Poland.

The network is expected to cover nearly 40 percent of Poland's landmass, marking it a significant milestone in the country's digital infrastructure development.

Marcin Laskowski, Vice President of the Management Board for Regulation at PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, says: “The energy transition is not only about building new low- and zero-emission generation capacities, but also about modernizing and expanding the distribution network, including its digitization. Construction of the LTE450 network, which will ensure effective and secure digital communication, thanks to which we will be able to manage energy production and distribution more effectively and safely, take care of continuity of supply and locate and eliminate possible irregularities faster.”

Martin Mellor, Head of Ericsson in Poland, says: “Ericsson is committed to delivering innovative solutions for the energy sector. Our collaboration with PGE for the LTE450 network underscores our dedication to enhancing the country's digital transformation."

The new agreement includes Ericsson enclosure system across 510 radio sites, providing battery backup, secure site control, and a remote operations layer with Ericsson Site Intelligence on Controller 6610.

In 2023, Ericsson was selected to provide radio access network (RAN) and core network solutions for PGE's mission-critical LTE450 network.