en.Wedoany.com Reported - Lynk Global and Anterix have initiated space-based non-terrestrial network (NTN) testing, a move that could extend NTN services to utilities and critical infrastructure operators. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last month approved an experimental license allowing the two companies to conduct related tests using Lynk's satellite network on Anterix's spectrum.

Christopher Guttman-McCabe, Chief Regulatory and Corporate Communications Officer at Anterix, stated that this move is an extension of the company's broader strategy to monetize its spectrum and offer a wide range of network services to utilities. The testing aims to demonstrate the availability of this capability to enterprises, utilities, and critical infrastructure sectors. The experimental license authorizes testing at seven sites located in North Dakota, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Iowa, Arkansas, Oregon, and Texas, representing diverse operational environments. Test equipment includes land mobile radio handsets, traditional smartphones, connected laptops, as well as high-end routers and edge devices.

During Anterix's quarterly earnings call, President and CEO Scott Lang confirmed that initial testing has begun, describing the first round of results as excellent, with plans to expand equipment and testing scale. Guttman-McCabe characterized the satellite initiative as part of years-long efforts to enhance the flexibility and value of the company's spectrum holdings. In 2020, the FCC reorganized the 900 MHz band, allowing narrowband channels and paired broadband. Earlier this year, at Anterix's request, the band's flexibility was further increased, permitting all 10 MHz to be used for broadband in a paired 5×5 MHz configuration. In April, Anterix announced its first planned 5×5 MHz deployment in partnership with Northwestern Energy. The company expects 5×5 to become the standard deployment in the future.

Anterix sees opportunities beyond utilities in the private wireless sector, especially when it can offer NTN connectivity alongside 10 MHz of spectrum. Guttman-McCabe noted that the testing will support the integration of 900 MHz devices with Lynk's satellite capabilities, potentially developing new products and services that open new doors for private, secure, and resilient network services. The company's announcement stated that the goal is to "achieve nationwide intelligent and resilient connectivity," covering areas such as electric and gas utilities, logistics, transportation, pipelines, and military bases. Anterix has signed four contracts this calendar year and currently serves 11 utility customers across 17 states. The company has also launched a SIM management service called CatalyX and announced a partnership with Crown Castle to introduce a turnkey tower service, Anterix TowerX, to help utilities streamline private wireless network deployments.

Anterix hired a Chief Product Officer and a new Chief Revenue Officer, Kim Green-Kerr, this year. The company believes that demand for private networks is driven by the need for secure and resilient communication infrastructure. Utilities face challenges such as extreme weather, cybersecurity risks, growing data center power demands, and the integration of distributed energy resources. Anterix views AI as a major driver of future network demand, as utilities seek to integrate AI into their operations and handle increasing data volumes. The company anticipates that the convergence of cellular and satellite connectivity, combined with AI and edge computing, will enable nationwide intelligent and resilient connectivity for critical communications. Scott Lang stated that the company will execute with discipline, focusing on building products and reducing friction to help utilities realize the value of spectrum. Guttman-McCabe added that in recent events, several Anterix customers expect the number of devices on their networks to exceed one million in the coming years.

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