Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW), the largest three-service municipal utility in the USA, has selected Nokia to deploy a private 5G wireless network.

The project will support MLGW’s long-term, multi-year grid modernisation strategy across Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, ultimately enhancing power distribution to its customers. This should reduce the risk and customer impact of unplanned outages and enable MLGW to restore service to the public more efficiently.

MLGW says it has become the first municipal utility in the USA to implement a full-scale standalone 5G private wireless network to serve its more than 420,000 customers. Nokia’s technology will unify and enhance communications across all MLGW’s electric, gas and water services, improving data connectivity, resilience and operational efficiency and provide a secure, scalable and high-performance network for critical applications and future mobility needs.

“The 5G network deployment is a foundational aspect of MLGW’s grid modernisation initiative,” said Doug McGowen, CEO of MLGW (www.mlgw.com). “We will be able to meet the requirements for a modern electric grid. We will have fast and reliable communication for grid devices, and increased reliability during storms or cyber events that will help us restore power even faster after outages. This enables more automation and smart control operations and supports future technology like electric vehicles and battery storage.”

The technology will enable real-time communication and automation across MLGW’s operations, supporting critical applications including automated meter reading, grid monitoring, fault detection and remote operations while laying the foundation for innovations such as connected mobility, voice and video services. Nokia’s technology will also enable secure interoperability with both existing infrastructure and modern IoT devices, including grid sensors, smart meters, automation systems and field equipment to ensure continuity while expanding capabilities.

“This collaboration marks a major milestone in advancing MLGW’s power grid modernisation and their commitment to building a smarter, more resilient and future-ready utility infrastructure for the community,” said Jeff Pittman from Nokia in North America. “It also underscores Nokia’s leadership in delivering end-to-end private wireless networks that empower utilities to accelerate their digital transformation and enhance service reliability for their customers.”

Nokia (www.nokia.com) will deliver a private 5G wireless network, including its AirScale radio access equipment and its 5G Core Enterprise. The contract also includes a microwave backhaul and towers supported by Nokia managed services, as well as NetGuard cyber-security products for proactive threat detection and response and privileged access management.