Change is being forced on the utilities industry. Business drivers range from stakeholder pressure for greater efficiency to the changing technologies involved in operational energy networks. New technologies such as Intelligent Networks or Smart Grids, Distribution Automation or Smart Metering are being considered. The communications network is becoming the key enabler for the evolution of reliable energy supply. However, few utilities today have a communications network that is robust enough to handle and support the exacting demands that energy delivery is now making.

It is this process of change, including the renewal of the communications network, that is vital for each utility's future. But for the utility, this is a technological step change requiring different strategies and designs, as well as new skills. The problems facing today's utility include understanding the new technologies and assessing their capabilities and applications. In addition, the utility has to develop an appropriate strategy to migrate legacy technologies and integrate them with the new infrastructure in a seamless, efficient, safe, and reliable manner.

This paper highlights the benefits utilities can realize by adopting a new approach to their customers' needs and engaging a network partner that will take responsibility for the network upgrade, its renewal and evolution, and the service transition.

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