Germany’s E.DIS Netz starts transition to 450Mhz network

German grid operator E.DIS Netz has reported putting into operation its first radio site on the 450MHz radio network.

The first radio site successfully started operation at E.DIS north of Berlin in late 2023, with the first use case for smart metering.

With this E.DIS is no longer dependent on the availability of public mobile networks and intends to gradually transition its smart grid applications to the 450MHz network as the buildout in Germany grows towards expected completion in 2025.

Dr Alexander Montebaur, CEO of E.DIS Netz parent group E.DIS AG in turn part of the E.ON group and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of 450connect, who played a leading role in the developments around the 450MHz network in the group, commented that E.DIS subsidiary e.discom Telekommunikation was involved in the first pilot tests of the 450MHz network.

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“The introduction of the 450MHz network is an important milestone for us in order to ensure and improve communication in the energy sector in a crisis-proof manner under the constantly growing requirements such as e-mobility and the connection of numerous renewable energy plants and to drive digitalisation forward,” he said.

“We are convinced that this technology will help us to successfully meet the challenges of the energy transition.”

The 450MHz band – formerly known as the C band – has gained growing interest for military and other critical applications with characteristics such as strong signal penetration and suitability for large scale IoT applications.

While interest in the band is widespread globally, in Germany its use has been awarded to the energy and water sector backed 450connect, an organisations with equal shareholdings by Alliander, E.ON, the 450MHz consortium of regional energy suppliers and the Utility Alliance 450 of small energy and water supply companies.

The German network is being deployed by Nokia, which also is contracted for other services including maintenance until 2040.

Other key features include a dual-use role with normal operation being monitoring and control of critical infrastructures and in times of crisis for communication and other critical control measures and being backed up with a 72-hour emergency power supply in the event of power outages and enabling information exchange for speedy service restoration.

E.DIS Netz is one of the largest regional energy grid operators in Germany and operates a power grid of around 79,000km in Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.