Follow
Follow
Follow
Follow
News
By Rex M. Lee, Security Advisor, My Smart Privacy
Critical infrastructure operators, defense industry contractors, state and local governments, technology firms, AI data centers, utilities, and the oil & gas sector all face escalating cybersecurity threats, regulatory pressures, and operational risks tied to their reliance on commercial telecom carriers. Owning licensed spectrum and deploying private LTE (pLTE) networks offers not only long-term security and data sovereignty, but also strategic financial benefits.
1. Cybersecurity
Private spectrum ensures end-to-end control of the network, reducing exposure to external threats. This control is critical as critical infrastructure and sensitive industries increasingly become prime targets for cyberattacks and hybrid warfare.
2. Risks of Commercial Carriers
Commercial carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile operate on intrusive platforms, relying on consumer-grade operating systems (Android, iOS, Windows). These platforms are often bundled with apps developed—or influenced—by adversarial nations, creating systemic privacy, security, and safety vulnerabilities across all sectors.
3. Liability & Reputation Protection
According to the IBM Cost of a Breach Report, the average cost of a cyberattack in North America exceeds $10 million. Such liability can easily surpass the investment required for licensed spectrum—while also damaging brand trust, diminishing stakeholder confidence, and eroding public trust. For entities such as utilities, defense contractors, or oil & gas firms, reputational harm can have long-lasting consequences on regulatory standing and market value. Private networks mitigate this exposure.
4. Lack of Indemnity
Carrier contracts typically strip away privacy, security, and data sovereignty while providing no indemnity—even in cases of negligence. Whether for utilities, municipalities, or AI data centers, organizations assume full liability for breaches, outages, and damages, often at costs that far exceed the investment required to own licensed spectrum.
5. Licensed Spectrum as a Financial Asset
Licensed spectrum is not just a security safeguard; it is a financial instrument. Spectrum values appreciate over time, and as part of the regulated rate base, utilities and other regulated entities earn a Return on Asset (ROA) rather than expensing it. For private sector industries, spectrum ownership provides long-term ROI and shields operations from escalating carrier costs.
6. Full Network Control
Deploying private networks gives operators complete control over infrastructure, endpoints, and data sovereignty—advantages commercial carriers cannot match. For AI data centers, defense contractors, and oil & gas producers, this level of control is a strategic imperative.
7. Exposure to Unauthorized Third Parties
Commercial networks expose sensitive data to unauthorized third parties—including entities tied to adversarial regions—via surveillance, OS vulnerabilities, and app permissions. Carrier infrastructure is often serviced by vendors who may not meet the rigorous vetting standards expected in the defense, energy, or government sectors, posing additional risks to both physical and network security.
8. Hybrid Warfare Threats
Consumer operating systems, AI-driven apps, and manipulative technologies on commercial platforms create vectors for nation-state attacks, including espionage, DDoS, and service disruption. Critical infrastructure and sensitive industries cannot afford this level of systemic vulnerability.
9. Compatibility and Integration
Private LTE (pLTE) Band 8 (900 MHz) spectrum integrates seamlessly with LTE cores (Ericsson, Nokia, etc.), supporting a global device ecosystem. Band 8’s reach is 12.5× larger than Band 26 (850 MHz U.S.), serving 4.3 billion people versus 0.34 billion. Space Data, for example, offers Band 8 licensed spectrum that enables utilities and enterprises to align with a trusted global ecosystem.
10. Flexibility, Interoperability, and Cost-Effective Deployment
Band 8 900 MHz licensed spectrum enables utilities, governments, and enterprises to deploy FAN, AMI, NB-IoT, or other networks independently of a pLTE system, providing a cost-effective entry point for future investment in private LTE. Networks deployed today can be seamlessly integrated into full pLTE systems tomorrow.
The global volume of Band 8 devices drives down edge-device costs, making this spectrum ideal for scalable, long-term strategies across industries.
Owning licensed spectrum for private LTE networks is both a technical advantage and a strategic necessity.
For critical infrastructure operators, defense industry contractors, AI data centers, utilities, and the oil & gas sector, licensed spectrum delivers the security, privacy, and resilience required to protect national and economic interests.
Spectrum appreciates in value while mitigating liability, strengthening resilience, and delivering consistent ROI.
Rex M. Lee holds Wireless Industry and Application Development Experience (35 years)/Freelance Technology Journalist/Privacy and Data Security Consultant/Blackops Partners Analyst and Researcher/Public Speaker- For More Information Visit My Smart Privacy at: www.MySmartPrivacy.com
Want to dive deeper into shaping the future of U.S. innovation.? Join us at any TechTalk Summits to engage with experts and explore strategies for digital success.
Register now and stay ahead of the curve! [All Events]
