Leveraging IoT for Unified Telecom and Energy Network Management

The convergence of telecommunications and energy networks offers significant potential for improving operational efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing service quality across the energy sector. However, many organizations in this sector have traditionally operated in silos (think IT, OT and energy business units), with each governed by distinct regulations, infrastructure management systems and organizational cultures.

The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), sensor networks and advanced metering hold the potential to become a bridge towards further unification; from a technical perspective at least. Clearly SCADA, IoT and energy network sensors rely on comms networks to convey information that ensures the energy network continues to operate. These technologies bridge the operational gaps by enabling important uplift in real-time data exchange, more sophisticated predictive behaviours and advanced automation. However, the practical implementation of unified network management will likely depend more on organizational collaboration and a cultural shift toward cooperative network management.

The Current Silos in Telecom and Energy Networks

Whilst there are some multi-utility organizations that combine both, energy companies and telecom operators typically operate separately, with limited interaction between their infrastructures and management processes. Energy providers manage physical assets like power grids, substations, and renewable energy sources, while telecom operators focus on digital networks, cell towers, and data centers. These industries also face distinct regulatory landscapes: energy companies are regulated by national and regional authorities focused on environmental sustainability, energy distribution, and grid reliability, while telecoms must adhere to rules governing spectrum allocation, network security and data privacy.

The silos we’re discussing in this article relate to those within a traditional energy provider. These silos include:

1. IT (Information Technology) - The IT department is responsible for traditional enterprise systems, including data centers, business applications, customer management, cyber security, business intelligence and back-office operations
2. OT (Operational Technology) - The OT department manages the hardware and software that monitors and controls physical processes within the energy network. This includes systems such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), protection signalling and grid automation, which prioritizes the reliability, safety and real-time control of the energy network
3. Energy Business Units (EBUs) - Within large energy companies, there are usually several business units dedicated to different aspects of energy production, transmission, and distribution
4. A variety of other business units such as executive and business functions including customer service, retail, compliance and others

With modern digital transformation measures, there’s far greater technology overlap and interconnect today than there was in the past. However, it’s the continuing organizational separation that limits the potential to unify the management and combined intelligence across these infrastructures. The challenge of connecting systems, devices and networks has largely been overcome already, but the opportunity to further align organizational goals and management practices still remains.

The Role of IoT in Unifying Network Management

Whilst systems remain in silos, data collection, insight-generation and decisions are also made in isolation. OSS, BSS, IoT and other digital systems offer a powerful tool for unifying telecom and energy network management data. This consolidation provides greater potential for real-time data exchange, operational automation and predictive analytics. These solutions can continuously monitor energy, comms and sensor networks holistically, allowing for combined intelligence and seamless communication between systems that previously operated independently.

In traditional energy management, SCADA and OT systems monitor the health of power transmission and distribution infrastructure, including transformers, substations and transmission lines. These systems typically track parameters such as voltage levels, current flows, and equipment temperature. The integration of telemetry from the communications network that supports OT systems can provide additional layers of insight.

For example, if signal degradation is detected in the communication link to a substation, it may indicate a physical disruption (e.g., nearby tree branches, equipment degradation, or weather-related damage) affecting both the communications and power lines running along the same route (or even in adjacent cables in the case of OPGW).

Another example includes smart meters installed in homes and businesses that can send energy usage data across telecom networks, enabling operators to adjust loads in real-time and optimize network performance based on power consumption patterns. Similarly, power hungry telecommunications infrastructure, such as cell sites and data centers, can report their energy consumption directly to energy providers, helping to manage electricity demand more efficiently.

Facilitating the flow of information between these siloed infrastructures makes it possible for separate business units to work together in ways that were previously unimaginable.

Organizational Unification: Breaking Down Silos

Organizational unification involves more than just adopting shared platforms or technologies. They’re already connected, albeit not always fully integrated. Instead it requires a mindset and cultural shift in how companies approach network management. It requires collaborative frameworks to oversee the combined management of their infrastructures. This will require a shared vision for operational efficiency, resource allocation and customer service improvement targets, along with a commitment to developing interoperable systems and skill-sets.

Another key factor in making unified network management a reality could be regulatory alignment in some countries. Regulatory bodies may need to adapt their policies to support the greater convergence of comms, sensor and energy networks as well as the business units that operate them. This may involve developing new guidelines for shared infrastructure management, cross-sector data usage, and joint resource allocation. Policymakers will also need to address concerns related to data security and privacy, especially as sensor devices become more integrated into the combined networks and data collection.

Conclusion: The Future of Unified Network Management

The unification of telecom and energy network management holds great promise, driving innovation, improving network reliability and reducing operational costs. By enabling real-time data exchange and operational automation, IoT offers a pathway to more efficient, reliable and sustainable networks. Comarch’s existing IoT and OSS / OT solutions can facilitate turning this vision into a reality, helping to establish a platform for cross-business unit collaboration.