Telecommunication is essential to utilities and has an increasingly critical role in the operation of the integrated grid, sometimes referred to as the "third grid". In grid modernization, telecom supports higher penetrations of distributed energy resources (DER) and a greater reliance on sensors to provide situational awareness. No single technology can meet all the widely varying requirements, resulting in complex and heterogeneous telecom networks that are challenging to manage.

The project set addresses challenges that utilities face with respect to telecommunications and the modernization of their networks:

• Planning a scalable, multi-service network that meets current and future needs.
• Leveraging technologies and best practices from commercial telecom operators (both wireline and wireless).
• Resolving barriers to complete the transition of the wide area network (WAN) to packet technologies.