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Expert Forum: How and Why Risk-Averse Utilities Need to Capitalize on the 5G Boom
October 9, 2019 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT
The 5G race is on. Analysts expect carriers to build up to 900 thousand microcells across North America over the next ten years in their drive to achieve market leadership. But carriers aren’t the only ones vying for a share of the 5G bonanza; market entrants include equipment vendors, tower owners, engineering firms, and real estate companies.
Where do electric power utilities stand? Simply put, 5G has the potential to boost utilities to new heights of profitability and leadership. As owners of an estimated 180 million poles nationwide, electricity providers control a strategic asset they can now monetize in many ways. But make no mistake: pole owners vitally need to look beyond simple attachment agreements to capitalize on this market transformation. Spreadsheets and other simple project management tools won’t suffice. Investing in pole management software will be critical to achieving success.
We’ll convene a panel of industry experts for an eye-opening examination of the rewards and challenges that 5G presents to electric power utilities.
Register for this information-packed webinar, featuring Sean Knowles, VP, Business Development/Principal, Pole Attachments at McLean Engineering; Keith Williams, Telecom Colocation Manager at Georgia Power; and Paul Bowman, Senior Product Manager at Atonix Digital for invaluable insights on:
- Why utilities can’t afford to fixate on the 1978 Pole Attachment Act, the 1996 Telecommunications Act, or other regulatory burdens in their long-term planning
- What services and business models stand to ensure 5G success for utilities
- How risks and opportunities differ for municipal, investor-owned, and cooperative entities
- Why 21st-Century asset data management is table-stakes for utilities’ 5G success, no matter how it’s defined
- When utilities need to take action to secure their roles in the emerging 5G economy
VP, Business Development/Principal, Pole Attachments
McLean Engineering
Sean is Co-Owner and principal at McLean. During his time at the firm, McLean has grown its inspection and pole attachment practice to include IOU, electric cooperative, and municipal utility clients across the US. Sean’s primary responsibilities related to pole attachments include project development, project payback, contract development, rental rate calculation, and contract advisement and negotiation. In this capacity, Sean has been involved in the administration and negotiation of dozens of joint use and pole attachment agreements.
Prior to coming to McLean Engineering, Sean earned an MBA from Duke University. Prior to Duke, Sean worked for six years in the US Senate, the last four of which he spent on the Senate Appropriations Committee, where he negotiated eight public laws allocating over $50 billion in military construction spending. Prior to his work in the Senate, Sean earned a BBA in Finance from Texas Tech University.
Telecom Colocation Manager
Georgia Power
Keith Williams is the Telecom Colocation Manager for Georgia Power. He manages telecom attachments on Georgia Power assets which includes: Outdoor Lighting, Transmission, Telecom Towers and Land Lease for Build-To-Suit. He has led project portfolios of more than $250M. Adept at building supervising top-performing teams. Highly experienced at introducing best practices to maximize efficiency, quality, and safety. Familiar with managing partner relationships, committees, special teams, and customer relations. Excellent problem solving, training, and change management skills.
Keith earned his Master’s in Public/Business Administration from Jacksonville State University and his Bachelor’s in Biology at the University of Louisville.
Keith has diverse experience in working in multiple business sectors which includes: Telecom, Electric Utility, Water/Waste Water, Chem/Petro Chem, Municipal Government, Environmental.
Product Director
Atonix Digital
Paul Bowman is a Sr. Product Manager at Atonix Digital. As an experienced product leader focused on delivering value to customers, Paul is responsible for managing the product strategy and roadmap for Atonix DigitalTM Pole Management. He does this through in-depth conversations with customers and industry experts to understand the challenges associated with managing distributed assets in a changing technology environment.
