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Key Trends and the Growing Role of Wireless Spectrum

Megan Finch

As we approach 2025, technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, driving advancements that are reshaping industries and everyday life. From artificial intelligence (AI) to broadband expansion, several key trends are set to dominate the tech landscape. At the heart of these developments lies the critical role of wireless spectrum, ensuring the seamless connectivity and speed needed to power these innovations. Here’s a look at what’s coming:

1. Sensors Driving AI Programs

Sensors are becoming more ubiquitous, serving as the eyes and ears of AI agents and programs. From smart home devices to industrial IoT applications, sensors collect real-time data that AI systems use to make decisions. Drones, in particular, are capturing vast amounts of data for applications like agriculture, disaster response, and infrastructure inspection, further highlighting the need for reliable connections. These programs rely on constant, reliable input to operate effectively, whether it’s monitoring equipment, tracking environmental changes, or enhancing user experiences. Wireless spectrum ensures these sensors and drones stay connected, transmitting data without delays or interruptions.

2. CBRS Spectrum Congestion

The Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band has unlocked new possibilities for private networks and cutting-edge wireless applications. Yet, as adoption grows, CBRS congestion is emerging as a pressing challenge. To ensure seamless connectivity, securing a PAL to reserve part of the frequencies or exploring alternative licensed spectrum bands is crucial. As CBRS continues to develop, it’s thrilling to anticipate how these advancements will redefine connectivity solutions. Identifying the ideal spectrum for each application will remain essential to achieving consistent reliability and performance.

Learn more about CBRS here

3. Broadband Expansion Across the U.S.

Efforts to reduce broadband deserts are accelerating, with infrastructure projects bringing high-speed internet to underserved areas. This expansion is bridging the digital divide, enabling more communities to access education, healthcare, and economic opportunities online. As broadband reaches more areas, additional infrastructure, such as wireless towers, will need to be built. This development also makes it easier for utilities to establish their own private networks, enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency. Wireless spectrum plays a vital role in extending connectivity to rural and hard-to-reach areas while supporting these growing infrastructure needs.

4. Smart and Self-Driving Vehicles

The push for self-driving vehicles and smart car features is intensifying. These vehicles depend on low-latency, high-speed connections to process vast amounts of data in real time, from navigation to safety systems. As testing ramps up, it’s exciting to see what’s to come, especially with connectivity advancements like Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication shaping the future of transportation.

5. Increased Electric Power Needs and V2G Solutions

The rise of data centers and electric vehicles (EVs) is driving a need for more electricity. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which enables two-way energy flow between EVs and the grid, is becoming a practical solution. These systems require reliable communication networks to manage energy transfer effectively. Meanwhile, the expansion of smart cities and smart grids is paving the way for exciting innovations. I look forward to seeing what’s next as these interconnected systems evolve. Wireless spectrum enables the fast, secure data exchange necessary for V2G systems and other smart technologies to function at scale.

Across all these trends, one thing is clear: wireless spectrum is becoming increasingly critical. Each of these technologies—from AI-driven sensors to smart vehicles and broadband expansion—requires the right spectrum to operate effectively. The challenge lies in matching the best spectrum to the application, ensuring optimal performance and minimal interference.

As demand for connectivity grows, so does the need for careful spectrum management. Organizations must navigate the complexities of spectrum availability to find solutions that meet their specific needs. Whether it’s addressing CBRS congestion, supporting low-latency applications, or enabling rural broadband, selecting the right spectrum is the foundation for success.

2025 promises to be a transformative year for technology, with wireless spectrum at the center of innovation. By understanding these trends and their implications, organizations can position themselves to thrive in a connected, data-driven future.

By: Megan Finch

“The global 5G fixed wireless access market size was valued at USD 23.78 billion in 2022 registering a CAGR of 39.9% from 2023 to 2030.”(1) This rapid growth underscores the significance of advanced wireless infrastructure in modern industries. Sectors contributing to this growth include Utilities and Critical Infrastructure Industries (UCIIs)  which are undergoing a profound transformation driven by the growing demand for reliable, secure, and scalable communication networks. To meet these evolving needs, utilities are adopting new technologies, as well as using Private LTE (pLTE) networks. While pLTE serves as a robust foundation, it also complements 5G advancements by providing a pathway for utilities to transition seamlessly into next-generation networks. This integration enables utilities to leverage the reliability and broad coverage of 4G while adopting the high-speed, low-latency capabilities of 5G for more demanding applications.

 A typical pLTE network consists of wireless base stations, core network equipment, user devices, and backhaul connections. Collectively, these components support a wide range of applications proven vital to utility operations. For instance, grid automation enables real-time communication between grid assets, supporting continuous monitoring and rapid responses to outages or equipment failures. Similarly, smart metering enhances billing accuracy, improves demand management, and quickly detects anomalies like energy theft. Worker safety also benefits significantly, with real-time connectivity improving situational awareness in remote or hazardous environments.

The effectiveness of a pLTE network relies heavily on the spectrum it uses. Licensed spectrum provides the stability, exclusivity, and security which are especially required for mission-critical communications. By leveraging dedicated spectrum, utilities can avoid interference in comparison to those supported by unlicensed networks, ensuring reliable and consistent performance for devices and systems that depend on real-time data. Private networks also allow utilities to avoid the outages, congestion and range limitations associated with public carrier wireless networks.

Spectrum choice also plays a critical role in optimizing base station placement. Lower frequency bands offer broader coverage, reducing the number of base stations needed to serve a given area. On the other hand, higher frequency bands support greater data capacity but require more base stations due to their shorter range. By carefully selecting the appropriate spectrum, utilities can minimize infrastructure costs, extend network reach into remote or hard-to-serve locations, and ensure seamless coverage across diverse environments. Similarly, Frequency Division Duplex “FDD” Spectrum is supported on more devices, but Time Division Duplex allows for greater efficiency by allowing the network to support applications that may have more traffic in one direction than the other – for example monitoring and metering applications.  Strategic spectrum decisions allow utilities to balance cost, coverage, capacity, and traffic characteristics, creating a network tailored to their unique operational needs.

This strategic integration of advanced wireless technologies, private networks, and carefully chosen spectrum empowers utilities to build resilient, future-ready communication systems that drive efficiency, enhance safety, and support the evolving demands of modern energy infrastructure.

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1. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/5g-fixed-wireless-access-market-report

By Megan Finch

The oil and gas industry, driven by efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility, has strategically adopted wireless technologies, particularly those leveraging licensed spectrum. The oil and gas facilities are complicated, so they need communication that goes beyond normal limits. In far-off places, flexible wireless tech for sensors is essential. This helps with instant monitoring and control without being limited by wired setups. Furthermore, wireless solutions are a cost-effective choice in large oil and gas facilities. They avoid the high deployment and maintenance costs linked with wired infrastructure. In addition, given the industry’s demand for continuous and uninterrupted connectivity, wireless technologies including licensed spectrum solutions ensure seamless communication and outperform traditional Wi-Fi networks.

Selecting the best spectrum solution to serve wireless technologies is critical, especially for applications like methane monitoring. Licensed spectrum, encompassing both narrowband and broadband frequencies, ensures dedicated and interference-free communication—essential for precise and reliable data transmission required by the oil and gas industry.  

As methane is an invisible gas, it’s hard to determine how much gas is leaking and where it’s coming from specifically. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ),

“A team of scientists from Harvard University, Boston University, NOAA, and the Environmental Defense Fund, used measurements of methane and ethane concentrations in the air over Boston to track emissions from 2012 to 2020. The scientists found natural gas emissions were approximately six times higher than inventory estimates, and more than half of emissions may be leaks from so-called end uses, such as compression stations and meters, along with boilers, furnaces and other appliances, rather than from pipelines.” [1]

Wireless sensors revolutionize methane leak detection, responding to an urgent global issue. In 2012, 3.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas escaped into the atmosphere, resulting in a $30 billion revenue loss. [2]  Due to the substantial methane contribution from oil, gas, and coal operations, a organization’s methane report highlights the significance of real-time tracking for predicting and preventing emissions.[3] Real-time tracking minimizes the risk of methane hazards, including asphyxiation at high, dangerous methane levels, through continuous environmental monitoring and timely alerts.[4]

Moreover, addressing the challenges posed by methane leaks requires not only a robust spectrum solution but can include a comprehensive approach. This can include monitoring many types of emissions and tracking the safety of employees. One example is Private LTE, as demonstrated by the Cradlepoint NetCloud Service with CBRS-Compatible Routers, to enhance safety and communication in large oil and gas refineries. This Private LTE enhances safety in large oil and gas refineries with a reliable wireless local area network (LAN). [5]

Integrating licensed spectrum technology strategically facilitates real-time tracking, accurate data reporting, and sustainability goals. As businesses strive to reduce methane emissions, the marriage of advanced sensor technology and industry commitment holds the key to building a more sustainable future.

Integrating licensed spectrum technology into wireless methane monitoring not only addresses methane leaks in the oil and gas industry but aligns seamlessly with efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility goals. The presented wireless solutions effectively address challenges in remote and challenging terrains, providing a cost-effective alternative to conventional wired infrastructure and highlighting the industry’s dedication to uninterrupted connectivity.

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[1] https://research.noaa.gov/2021/10/29/urban-areas-across-the-us-are-undercounting-methane-emissions-a-new-study-shows

[2]  https://rhg.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/RHG_UntappedPotential_April2015.pdf

[3] https://www.chevron.com/-/media/shared-media/documents/chevron-methane-report.pdf

[4] https://www.rcsystemsco.com/combustible-gas-detectors/methane

[5] https://ongoalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Cradlepoint-Private-LTE-Case-Study.pdf

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By Megan Finch

Water treatment facilities are essential for providing safe drinking water to people worldwide. However, traditional methods of monitoring water quality can be costly. Fortunately, advances in technology have made it possible to optimize water treatment and the water tracking processes using wireless sensors.

Wireless sensors can provide real-time data on water quality and usage, allowing treatment facilities to quickly identify and address issues before they become major problems. In addition, the use of wireless sensors can reduce the need for manual labor, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Many companies are adding sensors to their applications. One such organization, the Pennsylvania Water Authority, added remotely managed capabilities. According to “Jason Orsini, Findlay Township Municipal Authority’s General Manager, “This technology allows us to know of any abnormalities within our 75 miles of waterline every day, whereas before with a lift and shift system we may not know of a leak for anywhere up to 35 days.”’ [i]

Furthermore, wireless sensors can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by optimizing energy consumption in many organizations. By monitoring energy usage, facilities can identify areas where energy is being wasted and implement changes to reduce their carbon footprint. Retail giant Costco has saved money and energy by adding sensors to their retail locations. According to one article, “The pilot generated 22% savings in water bills, and the technology was later expanded to all of Costco’s U.S. stores.” [ii]

By providing real-time data, operators can make informed decisions about when to perform maintenance or replace equipment, resulting in reduced downtime and increased productivity. This can ultimately lead to cost savings and improved customer satisfaction.

However, these wireless IoT applications need to run on a wireless network. At Select Spectrum we recommend and help organizations acquire licensed wireless spectrum. Licensed wireless spectrum is an excellent choice for water treatment sensors due to its reliability, security, and potential to handle large amounts of data depending on the frequency. By using licensed spectrum, water treatment facilities can ensure that their sensors are operating on a stable and secure network, which is essential for maintaining accurate and timely data on water quality. Furthermore, licensed spectrum is highly regulated, which ensures protection of your wireless asset. Overall, licensed wireless spectrum is an ideal choice for water treatment sensors, and its use should be encouraged in the industry.

In conclusion, the water treatment industry can greatly benefit from the use of wireless sensors. By reducing water loss, energy consumption, and downtime, facilities can save time, money and reduce their carbon footprint. As we continue to face global challenges related to climate change and resource scarcity, it is important that we embrace new technologies to optimize our processes and protect our planet. Visit https://www.selectspectrum.com or https://www.selectspectrum.com/resources/industries/industrial-water-treatment to learn more about how wireless sensors can revolutionize the water treatment industry.

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[i] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230307005491/en/Pennsylvania-Water-Authority-Masters-Proactive-Leak-Detection-Using-Xylem-Technology

[ii] https://www.wateronline.com/doc/how-iot-sensors-reduce-water-waste-0001

By: Megan Finch

Contact Select Spectrum today for a free consultation (571) 287-8720

by: Jonathan Cogwell

In the Oil and Gas field many technical advancements have been made in the industry. Wireless Sensors that are connected to wireless networks are available for many applications. These networks are called Wireless sensor networks.

Wireless sensor networks (WSN), defined as a self-configured and infrastructure-less system to monitor physical or environmental conditions, have become crucial to the oil and gas, energy exploration, and petrochemical industries. In the Oil & Gas sector, potential damages or impairments are directly connected not only to the safety of valuable assets, but to human operators as well. By providing licensed wireless networks that remotely control and manage networks, these standards offer a cost-efficient and safer alternative to traditional wired field instruments.

WSNs are a promising innovation that resolve the critical challenges of pipeline condition, corrosion, integrity monitoring, as well as other related problems. Consisting of interconnected sensor nodes that communicate wirelessly to collect data about the surrounding environment, WSNs allow facilities to detect and report events immediately when they occur. 

The data gathered by Wireless Sensor devices is where oil and gas facilities really benefit. These devices enable new insights into plant operation and innovative solutions that aid the oil and gas industry in:

Additionally, WSN technology can efficiently manage all equipment used in the three sectors of oil and gas fields (upstream, midstream, and downstream).

This includes:

Even with the existence of common obstacles like extreme weather demands, adverse terrains, and remote locations, WSNs can still function properly. Plus, they can save a lot on wiring costs because sensors like PIR detectors are relatively cheaper than wires.

Most importantly, it’s crucial for oil and gas facilities to detect and monitor anomalous events like leakage, corrosion, sabotage, and oil and gas theft in a timely manner, which prevents environmental hazards as well as financial losses.  WSN allow for many types of monitoring including:

1.            Remote Monitoring

The WSN solution provides remote monitoring capabilities for oil and gas companies to meet technology, regulatory, and production demands.  WSN remote monitoring technologies provide better and more real-time communication to improve productivity, refinery processes, and security.

2.            Condition Monitoring & Maintenance

Monitoring the condition of components, also called fault diagnosis, can be divided into component fault diagnosis and system fault diagnosis. Through sensor measurements and careful monitoring of system components, facilities can estimate the status of every component. With real-time monitoring, sensors can detect vibration, temperature heat, dissolved gas, electromagnetic properties, power consumption, performance, etc. to predict when a component might fail. For oil and gas companies, this will limit downtime, repair costs, damage, and potential dangers.

3.            Hydrogen Sulfide Monitoring

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S ) is an extremely toxic, colorless, flammable gas that is heavier than air and soluble in water and can cause shock, convulsions, coma, and death at high levels. During oil exploration and refinery processes, H2S is produced as a product or by-product and causes health and corrosion problems. H2S monitoring can be helpful not only to detect a leak but also to determine where the leak came from.

4.            Production Performance

With the appropriate data collected from a wireless sensor network, an oil and gas company can see if its facility is operating normally or abnormally. They can also use the network to analyze optimal load flow, unit commitment, and economic dispatch. By realizing and reacting to certain characteristics and patterns in operation data, facilities can optimize plant safety, production, turnarounds, shutdowns, maintenance, and improve error tolerance and recovery.

At a pivotal time for the oil and gas industry, wireless sensor networks are connecting stranded assets, streamlining operations, dramatically increasing safety standards, and reducing deployment costs. The capability of this technology continues to increase rapidly across this sector. Overall, WSNs invariably create time and cost reducing benefits, which can maximize the potential of the oil and gas industry through reliable networking technology. 

by: Jonathan Cogwell & Rachel Bigelow

Introduction

The expansion and evolution of NB-IoT is positioning the technology as a key pillar in the future of many industries, representing a significant near-term investment priority. Verticals across the board now may benefit from the advent of NB-IoT devices and technology via adoption of private networking, driven by the global mobile cellular industry. In fact, the growth of NB-IoT, estimated at a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of between 35% and 61% up to 2025, is poised to only become further integrated into modern wireless technologies.

LTE NB-IoT technology is leading this revolution, as it is a part of new cellular standards that offers high credibility as a product of 3GPP standardization, low cost-structure, better coverage, and heightened security.

Building IoT devices through NB-IoT has become an effective way to save on power consumption, decrease the volume of high data storage, and set up in the most remote places on the earth. NB-IoT networks give the promise of connecting thousands of endpoints and devices under a single ecosystem, allowing for efficiencies in data acquisition and control.

NB-IoT Potential Applications

Today, you can already leverage NB-IoT for numerous industries. Despite the flexible nature of the applications, you will need partners with extensive interoperability experience, control systems, management of sensors, vendor communications infrastructure, software and hardware support,  measurement tools, as well as access to suitable spectrum, in order to realize the fully benefits of the technology.

With NB-IoT devices, energy systems can be monitored safely with real-time data analysis. Smart gas and smart water metering can accurately manage and troubleshoot at a low cost, while sending alerts if a chemical leak is detected. Pressure, methane, and sewage levels are all components that can be monitored with a smart device, ensuring the safety and efficiency of standard processes. For utilities, these devices can do the same, such as detecting when there is a fault or outage, as well as substation monitoring of the system. 

• Industrial Automation

NB-IoT is perfect to keep an eye on water and gas meters through small and regular data transmissions. Plus, it also offers broad network coverage in remote ruler areas and even underground cellars. NB-IoT can fill the connectivity gap for industrial automation. It means organizations will be able to save by reducing deployment, operational, and maintenance costs.

• Smart Cities

NB-IoT is the ideal technology to create and maintain smart cities in order to achieve optimal performance. For instance, NB-IoT provides better parking solutions by integrating existing infrastructure with sufficient parking sensors at an affordable cost and long-lasting battery life. Public or private streetlights can be turned on and off using custom scheduling, an effective method to reduce energy use. With NB-IoT, the waste management system can be transformed to cut back on significant amounts of energy using predictive software to find the most efficient routes and schedules to collect waste. The smart home market is growing at a rapid pace, with the potential to significantly reduce costs utilizing HVAC smart devices. 

• Agriculture

NB-IoT provides an expansive cellular network as well as a sufficient battery life with minimized costs to cover large areas. Using common practices like geo-fencing allows you to track and monitor livestock remotely, notifying the user when livestock leaves a pre-defined area. Sensors in fixed remote locations can provide full insight by monitoring climate, pollution, and soil specifications while transmitting the data along with benchmarking and trend analysis directly to your device.

• Transportation

Another essential application of NB-IoT is vehicle tracking in real-time. Supply chain and logistics companies can leverage this application to decrease fraudulent activities in shipping containers, receiving notifications if something out of the ordinary occurs to the vehicle. Additionally, by using fuel consumption monitoring, finding the most energy efficient time and route can be found with the data analysis of an NB-IoT device. Organizations can view the data from multiple vehicles in real-time and install road sensors for better navigation, traffic analysis and prevent congestion.

Wrap Up

When organizations opt for licensed wireless networks, they can save their valuable resources and energy thanks to NB-IoT. You can expect more ubiquitous NB-IoT applications in the foreseeable future. In fact, applications of NB-IoT are already getting more specific to which technology organizations should use. In essence, it would be fair to say that the new wonder of technologies will further streamline the use of NB-IoT.

REFERENCES:

• https://accent-systems.com/blog/differences-nb-iot-lte-m/?v=d71bdd22c8bb
• https://www.iot-now.com/2020/07/06/103679-nb-iot-vs-lte-m-which-is-the-best-choice-for-your-iot-application/
• https://blog.semtech.com/title-10-things-about-lorawan-nb-iot
• https://www.vodafone.com.au/business/internet-of-things/narrowband
• https://www.mavoco.com/lte-m-vs-narrowband-iot-and-the-internet-of-things/
• https://www.sierrawireless.com/iot-blog/lte-m-vs-nb-iot/
• https://www.sierrawireless.com/iot-blog/industrial-iot-trends/
• https://www.iotforall.com/what-is-narrowband-iot
• https://blog.antenova.com/what-is-narrowband-iot-5-benefits-to-iot-devices
• https://www.link-labs.com/blog/5-top-business-benefits-of-narrowband-iot
• https://www.i-scoop.eu/internet-of-things-guide/lpwan/nb-iot-narrowband-iot/
• https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/markets/digital-identity-and-security/iot/resources/innovation-technology/nb-iot
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41870-020-00469-x
• https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-narrowband-nb-iot-market
• https://ksusentinel.com/2021/02/16/narrowband-iot-enterprise-application-market-to-grow-significantly-at-a-cagr-of-61-3-by-2026-vodafone-group-plc-att-inc-telstra-corporation-limited-etisalat-group/

The Select Spectrum team has been working from home since March. We thought it would a good idea to share our 10 best tips from our experience.

1. When in doubt, make a phone call rather than send an email or text. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
   
   
2. Take advantage of collaborative technology including but not limited to video conferencing platforms to further support a close-knit team like atmosphere.
   
   
3. Set goals as a team and work together to achieve them. Create a to-do list and clearly establish priority and an approximate deadline, if possible, of a project once it is assigned. Make sure to write down any notes about the project (i.e. “how to…”) that you think will be important to completing it.
   
   
4. Set daily goals for yourself. This creates structure to your day, and you will spend less time thinking about what to work on next once a project is finished.
   
   
5. Set a tentative schedule for your day to help keep you on track and ensure daily priorities are not overlooked.
   
   
6. If possible, have a separate space that is only for work and let others in your household know when you are working.
   
   
7. Team members who have had the benefit of being a part of the in-office environment should be accommodating to team members who have not have that benefit.
   
   
8. Have consistent working hours with a short lunch break in the middle. Also, have good coffee.
   
   
9. Keep your work area clean and as organized as possible, including the files on your computer and in the cloud.
   
   
10. Eat healthy and exercise as often as possible. After all, a strong body and a strong mind go hand in hand! Take a couple minutes every hour or two to stretch and get some fresh air. Don’t forget to drink water!