Field Area Network for power utilities

Enable new business models by extending the reach of grid communications with LTE, IP/MPLS and FTTx

Overview

Nokia Converged Field Area Network (FAN) for Power Utilities provides a platform for new business models by helping utilities extend communications deep into the distribution grid to enable integration of distributed renewables and storage, distribution automation, substation automation and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI).

Our FAN solution gives you the flexibility to choose from a broad spectrum of technologies, including LTE, DSL, and FTTx. We have the experience to integrate the technology that best meets your utility’s business drivers, and can ensure that the FAN interoperates seamlessly with wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs) and neighborhood area networks (NANs) to serve varying applications with differing requirements.

Combined with our award-winning IP/MPLS and industry-leading microwave and fiber optic WAN solutions, our FAN solution helps you achieve highly reliable, highly secure, ubiquitous and cost-effective smart grid communications.

Professional services

We provide consulting, solution deployment and integration services that can help you:

Select the right FAN architecture
Deploy multiple technologies and vendor products
Ensure interoperability of different network segments and technologies

This reduces your risk during project implementation and protects your investment in smart grid.

Wind farms

Operators of large wind farms can take advantage of Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (Nokia DAC) to provide pervasive connectivity for workers and wind turbine operations and maintenance processes.

This comprehensive cloud-based solution combines LTE-based private wireless networking with integrated security. To learn more visit our renewable energy site.

On this page

Benefits and features
Solution elements
Related solutions and products
Learn more

Nokia Converged Field Area Network (FAN)

See why a new approach is needed for your smart grid

Overhead view of residential housing area

Rethinking the FAN for grid automation

Discover how a FAN can help you operate a greener, more responsive grid

Benefits and features

Incorporate renewable energy

Monitor and control renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines.
Incorporate new energy sources while maintaining power quality and stability.

Reduce outages and manage power quality

Benefit from granular visibility and control of energy flow and quality.
Ensure a faster and more informed response to outages.

Reduce operational expenses

Remotely monitor asset performance and operation for improved predictive maintenance, more efficient dispatch of repair technicians and more accurate end-of-life calculations.
Detect and manage network and non-technical losses.
Deploy a homogeneous solution that integrates distribution automation, substation automation and AMI over a common FAN.

Mitigate cybersecurity risks

Use encryption to keep data secure and prevent unauthorized parties from accessing sensitive information.
Implement strong authentication to keep rogue devices and users off the network.
Control network access with firewalls.

Solution elements

We customize our FAN solution to suit the specific business needs of power utilities. This reliable, secure and scalable solution is made up of proven technologies from our IP, optical and private wireless portfolios. We complement it with our comprehensive professional services offering.

Product

7705 Service Aggregation Router

Build mission-critical field and wide area networks you can trust

Product

Network Services Platform

Automate, manage and control IP and optical networks

Service

Services for industry and the public sector

Maximize business value from your technology investments

Solution

Converged mission-critical private wireless and IP/MPLS FAN for power utilities

Extend connectivity to the grid edge for distribution automation and renewables, along with broadband for field force enablement

Solution

Wavence - Microwave transmission

Prepare for the future with leading microwave innovation.

Solution

Broadband Anyhaul

Gain capacity and scale for your mobile transport needs with FTTH networks

Guidehouse logo

Guidehouse ranks Nokia as leader in industrial IoT networking solutions

Guidehouse Insights Leaderboard Grid - Industrial IoT Networking Solutions Vendors

Download the executive summary

“Nokia's addition of secure LTE and WiFi wireless connectivity into their existing 7705 Service Router product line dramatically increases the ability to integrate and centralize management of our end-to-end service connectivity for utility operations to meet our mission critical requirements.”

John Hughes

Director, Network Engineering and Operations, Ameren Services

“Adding LTE and other wireless capabilities to the proven 7705 platform provides compelling new choices for utilities looking to extend the reach of their connectivity to modernize grid operations.”

Melvin Sam Charuvilayil

Supervisor, IT Network Planning & Engineering, Kansas City Power and Light

“A holistic, network-centric strategy will benefit utilities which recognize how the industry is changing. A converged FAN approach leveraging IP/MPLS and LTE offers a future-proof, ubiquitous network with the capacity to handle new energy services, transactive energy models, DER integration and better customer engagement -- in addition to more traditional smart grid and smart city applications. As described in our white paper, Communications in the Energy Cloud, Navigant Research has dubbed this holistic networking strategy the 'Energy Superhighway.”

Richelle Elberg

Principal Analyst, Energy, at Navigant Research