Modernizing the Grid with 5G Technology for a Safer and More Reliable Future
Modernizing the Grid with 5G: SCE and Nokia Drive California’s Clean Energy Future

As California works towards its carbon neutrality goal for 2045, Southern California Edison (SCE) and Nokia have unveiled the electric industry’s first private 5G Field Area Network (FAN). This innovative network technology is designed to make the power grid safer, more reliable, and fully adaptable to California’s ambitious climate targets.
5G Field Area Network: Revolutionizing Grid Communication
The 5G FAN enables seamless communication between equipment, power lines, and substations, revolutionizing how the grid operates. SCE’s modernization efforts incorporate this secure, scalable 5G technology to ensure more efficient grid management. With remote monitoring capabilities, the FAN system reduces the need for physical interventions, allowing crews to quickly identify faults and optimize grid performance in real time.
Driving California’s Carbon-Neutral Vision
Investing in 5G technology strengthens California’s strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. The FAN not only supports integrating renewable energy sources but also bolsters the grid’s resilience and reliability, paving the way for a cleaner energy future in California.
The SCE and Nokia collaboration represents a leap forward in energy management innovation, setting a new global standard for efficiency in the utility sector.
Most Asked Question in the FAQ
5G (5)
5G Advanced, often referred to as “5G-Advanced” or “5.5G,” represents the evolution and enhancement of 5G technology. It is considered the next phase in 5G development, following the initial release of 5G standards (Release 15 and Release 16 by the 3GPP). 5G Advanced aims to expand and improve upon the capabilities of 5G to meet growing demands and emerging technological trends. Key aspects of 5G Advanced include:
- Enhanced Performance: 5G Advanced aims to further increase data rates, reduce latency, and improve network efficiency beyond the initial specifications of 5G.
- Improved Network Capacity and Coverage: It focuses on enhancing network capacity to support an even larger number of connected devices, as well as improving coverage, particularly in challenging environments.
- Advanced Network Features: This includes more advanced forms of network slicing, improved Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technologies, and enhancements in beamforming for better signal direction and strength.
- Integration with Emerging Technologies: 5G Advanced is expected to better integrate with technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and edge computing, offering more intelligent and responsive network solutions.
- Support for Diverse Applications: While 5G already supports a wide range of applications, 5G Advanced will further expand capabilities in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB).
- Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: A focus on sustainability, with improvements in energy efficiency, is a key aspect of 5G Advanced, addressing the environmental impact of expanding network infrastructures.
- Research and Standardization: 5G Advanced is currently in the research and standardization phase, with industry and academia collaborating to define its features and capabilities.
5G Advanced represents the continuous evolution of 5G networks, aiming to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for data and connectivity and to enable new applications and technologies that require more advanced network capabilities.
5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) is a new feature introduced in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 17. It is designed to cater to devices that require higher capabilities than those offered by LTE-M or NB-IoT (both are narrowband IoT technologies), but do not need the full capabilities of standard 5G devices. This makes 5G RedCap particularly suitable for a specific segment of IoT and industrial applications. Key aspects of 5G RedCap include:
- Lower Device Complexity: 5G RedCap aims to reduce the complexity and cost of devices compared to full-featured 5G devices. This is achieved by scaling down certain aspects of the 5G technology.
- Moderate Data Rates: While offering lower data rates than the full 5G standard, 5G RedCap still provides higher data rates than narrowband IoT technologies, making it suitable for applications that require moderate bandwidth.
- Energy Efficiency: With its reduced complexity, 5G RedCap also aims to improve energy efficiency, which is crucial for battery-powered IoT devices.
- Broad Applications: This technology is ideal for a range of IoT applications, including wearables, industrial sensors, and certain types of smart meters that need more capability than NB-IoT or LTE-M but do not require the high data rates and full capabilities of 5G.
- Network Compatibility: 5G RedCap is designed to be compatible with existing 5G networks, enabling seamless integration with the current infrastructure.
- Balanced Performance: The key advantage of 5G RedCap is its balanced performance, offering better capabilities than narrowband technologies while avoiding the complexity and cost of full 5G.
In summary, 5G RedCap represents an important step in the evolution of 5G and IoT, bridging the gap between narrowband IoT technologies and full 5G, and providing a more cost-effective and efficient solution for a wide range of IoT applications.
5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is a method of providing wireless broadband internet services to homes and businesses using 5G cellular network technology. It is an alternative to traditional wired broadband like DSL, cable, or fiber optics. Here are key aspects of 5G FWA:
- Use of 5G Technology: 5G FWA utilizes the high-speed and low-latency capabilities of the 5G network to deliver internet services.
- Wireless Connectivity: Unlike traditional broadband that requires physical wiring, FWA uses wireless signals to connect users to the internet. This can significantly reduce the need for extensive physical infrastructure.
- Deployment Ease: FWA is particularly beneficial in areas where laying cables is challenging or not cost-effective. It allows for rapid deployment of broadband services in rural or underserved areas.
- High-Speed Internet: With 5G technology, FWA can offer comparable, and in some cases, superior speeds to wired broadband solutions, suitable for high-bandwidth applications like streaming, gaming, and video conferencing.
- Network Infrastructure: The setup typically involves a 5G modem or router at the user’s location, which communicates with the nearest 5G cell tower to provide internet connectivity.
- Cost-Effectiveness: For network providers, FWA can be a more cost-effective way to expand broadband access, especially in less densely populated areas.
- Improved Capacity and Range: Leveraging advanced 5G technologies like beamforming and Massive MIMO, FWA can offer improved capacity and range compared to earlier wireless technologies.
5G FWA is seen as a key component in the broader rollout of 5G, offering a flexible and efficient way to expand broadband access and bridge the digital divide, particularly in regions where wired infrastructure is lacking or insufficient.
CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) in the context of 5G-Advanced refers to an innovative approach in wireless communication where the CBRS spectrum is utilized for advanced 5G applications. CBRS operates in the 3.5 GHz band (3550 MHz to 3700 MHz) in the United States and is designed to offer a shared spectrum model. This approach is significant in the evolution of 5G networks for several reasons:
- Shared Spectrum Access: CBRS uses a three-tiered shared spectrum access system, allowing for efficient use of the 3.5 GHz band. This system includes Incumbent Access, Priority Access, and General Authorized Access.
- Enhanced Capacity and Coverage: By leveraging the CBRS band, 5G-Advanced networks can enhance capacity and coverage, particularly in densely populated areas or for enterprise use cases.
- Flexibility and Cost-Effectiveness: CBRS offers a more flexible and cost-effective way for organizations to deploy private 5G networks, as it reduces the need for purchasing exclusive spectrum licenses.
- Innovation in Wireless Services: The utilization of CBRS in 5G-Advanced paves the way for innovative wireless services and applications, including IoT deployments, industrial automation, and enhanced mobile broadband.
- Improved Network Performance: The CBRS band is well-suited for 5G use due to its balance between coverage and capacity, making it ideal for a variety of applications from urban to rural deployments.
- Regulatory Framework: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established rules for CBRS, promoting efficient use of the spectrum while protecting incumbent users.
- Compatibility with Existing Technology: CBRS can be integrated with existing LTE and 5G NR technology, allowing for seamless adoption and integration into current network infrastructures.
CBRS 5G-Advanced represents a significant step in diversifying the spectrum usage for 5G, offering new opportunities for network operators, enterprises, and other entities to deploy flexible and efficient 5G solutions.
URLLC, or Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications, is a service category in 5G networks designed to support applications that require very high reliability and extremely low latency. It is one of the three primary use case categories defined for 5G, alongside Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) and Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC). Key aspects of URLLC include:
- Low Latency: URLLC aims to achieve end-to-end latency in the order of milliseconds, significantly lower than what is possible in previous generation networks. This is crucial for applications requiring real-time responses.
- High Reliability: URLLC provides highly reliable communication links, with success rates as high as 99.999% for data transmission. This level of reliability is essential for critical applications where errors or delays could have severe consequences.
- Critical Applications Support: URLLC is tailored for use cases such as autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, remote surgery, and other applications where instantaneous, reliable communication is vital.
- Network Slicing: Leveraging network slicing in 5G, specific slices of the network can be allocated for URLLC services, ensuring dedicated resources and prioritization over other types of network traffic.
- Advanced Technologies: The implementation of URLLC involves various advanced technologies, including edge computing, advanced antenna technologies like beamforming, and enhanced modulation techniques to minimize transmission delays and errors.
- Spectrum Efficiency: URLLC requires efficient use of the spectrum to meet its stringent latency and reliability requirements, often using techniques like OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access).
- Standardization: URLLC is part of the 3GPP standards for 5G (starting from Release 15 onwards), which define the technical aspects and requirements for deploying URLLC services.
URLLC is a cornerstone for enabling a wide range of future technologies and applications that depend on rapid, reliable wireless communication, and is a key differentiator of 5G networks from their predecessors.