Utilities · Water, Energy & Pipelines
Keep pipelines, pump stations and substations online even where the grid, fibre and phone signal don’t reach
Peplink bridges legacy SCADA and IoT sensors with modern, secure networking, bonding cellular, satellite and wired links into one connection that keeps monitoring real-time across your most remote sites.
- 21 pump stations connected across two counties (Texarkana Water Utilities)
- 200 planned pipeline monitoring sites on one rollout (Hyperlink, oil & gas)
- 50 substations migrated to LTE on one contract (Electric Cooperative)
Application
Utilities: substations, kiosks, pump stations, pipelines and remote IoT sites
Solution Components
MAX BR1 Mini 4G, BR1 Mini RedCap, BR1 Mini M2M, Antenna MAX S with Starlink Mini, InControl 2, InTouch
Project Scope
A cellular gateway for each substation or kiosk, a RedCap router for high-data IoT sites, a serial-capable M2M router for legacy meters and controllers, and a Starlink option for sites with no coverage or temporary works
Outcome
SCADA, meters and IoT sensors keep reporting in real time, with every site managed and reached remotely through InControl 2 and InTouch
The Challenge
What utilities are up against when infrastructure has different rules
Utilities increasingly rely on sensors to monitor remote infrastructure: pipelines, pump stations, wind turbines, power lines. Peplink was built for exactly this: mission-critical connectivity across vast, unmanned sites where legacy WAN can’t keep up.
Bridging legacy & modern systems
Utilities infrastructure often runs on legacy serial devices and SCADA protocols. Bridging that with modern networking is mission-critical, not optional.
Network security
VPN links between Peplink devices are highly encrypted and compatible with third-party firewalls, critical for infrastructure that can’t afford a breach.
Harsh, remote conditions
Dust, debris, vibration and extreme temperature swings are standard at pipeline, substation and pump-station sites, some reachable only by helicopter.
No fixed infrastructure
Fixed-line broadband, fibre and even basic cellular coverage are often unavailable where connectivity has to be built, not assumed.
The Solution · How Peplink solves it
One resilient link, built from whatever’s available on site
Peplink routers bond every available link, whether cellular, satellite, wired or even legacy radio during transition, into a single SpeedFusion tunnel with Hot Failover. If one link drops, traffic shifts automatically, with SCADA and IoT sensor data flowing uninterrupted.
A MAX BR1 Mini serves each substation or kiosk, a BR1 Mini RedCap handles high-data IoT sites, and a BR1 Mini M2M brings serial meters and controllers online. Where there is no usable coverage, an Antenna MAX S with Starlink Mini connects the site on its own.
| Link Type | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Starlink | Primary (remote sites) | Deployed as primary connectivity at sites with no wired or reliable cellular option |
| Cellular (LTE/5G) | Primary or backup | Multi-carrier SIM switching keeps a site online even if one network fails |
| VSAT / Legacy radio | Transitional / backup | Retained during migration or as backup once cellular or Starlink is proven |
| Wired / Fibre | Core hub link | Connects central data centres and control rooms where available |
All links are bonded into one SpeedFusion tunnel, managed centrally through InControl 2, with Hot Failover switching connections with zero manual intervention.
SpeedFusion™
Bonding technology
SpeedFusion™ is Peplink’s patented technology designed to eliminate the vulnerabilities of traditional networking. By combining multiple WAN sources such as 5G, satellite, and wired into a single high-speed, resilient data pipe.
InControl 2
Cloud management
Push configuration to every Peplink device from a single screen, generate network reports, and integrate via API, with fleet-wide visibility from any browser.
Customers obtain connectivity contracts with the relevant service providers directly. We can assist with 5G eSIM if needed.
The Result
Built for IoT, not just IT
Peplink’s SpeedFusion Connect service is designed for exactly this kind of unattended, always-on deployment: smart sensors, security cameras, motion-activated monitoring and SCADA telemetry all running over the same managed connection.
Hot Failover
The connection switches instantly, with no dropped sessions.
eSIM data plans
No physical SIM logistics across dozens or hundreds of remote sites.
Automated network reports
Alerts on sudden connection drops, so problems are spotted early.
Remote monitoring
Check the status of every device in the field from one dashboard.
SCADA and IoT sensor data, flowing uninterrupted.
Deployment Architecture
Three site types plus a standalone option, each built from products you can add straight to your cart.
Site Type A · Substation / kiosk
A cellular gateway for every substation and kiosk
A MAX BR1 Mini with an eSIM provides the cellular WAN for each substation or kiosk. It is Class 1 Division 2 approved with the optional mounting kit and runs from −40 °F to 149 °F, delivering consistent data streams for utility readings. InControl 2 handles configuration push, reports and API access, and InTouch reaches the devices behind the router.
- Utility meter
- RTU / logger
- Edge gateway
Solution components
Remote Site Router
Class 1 Division 2 approved with the optional mounting kit; delivers consistent data streams for utility readings. Operating range −40 °F to 149 °F.
Site Type B · High data-usage IoT
RedCap for camera-heavy, high-data IoT sites
The MAX BR1 Mini RedCap uses a reduced-capability modem that sits between 4G and 5G. It is easy to install and aimed at high-data IoT, such as sites streaming CCTV alongside sensors and telemetry. It is due for release in Q4.
- Site CCTV
- IoT sensors
- Telemetry
Solution components
Remote Site Router · Due Q4
BR1 Mini RedCap
Reduced-capability modem that sits between 4G and 5G. Easy to install and built specifically for high-data-usage IoT.
Site Type C · Serial / legacy devices
Bring serial meters and controllers online
The MAX BR1 Mini M2M pairs an RS-232/485 serial port with a LAN port, built for smart meters and sensors. Legacy equipment can report over cellular and be reached through InTouch, without replacing it.
- Smart meter (RS-232/485)
- Industrial controller
- Field sensors
Solution components
Remote Site Router
4G router with a serial port and LAN port, specifically designed for IoT such as sensors and smart meters.
Rapid Deployment · Standalone option
Sites with no usable coverage, or temporary works
An Antenna MAX S enclosure with a Starlink Mini terminal gives one compact cellular + LEO mount for a site with no usable cellular coverage, or for temporary works. A MAX BR1 Mini 5G inside the enclosure combines a 5G WAN with the Starlink WAN. Quick install, minimal footprint, no head-end needed.
- 5G WAN
- Starlink WAN
- No head-end needed
Solution components
Compact Antenna + Satellite Combo
Single-router antenna enclosure paired with a Starlink Mini terminal for a lightweight, all-in-one cellular and LEO satellite link. Minimal footprint, quick install.
Compact IoT Router
Sits inside the Antenna MAX S enclosure and provides the 5G WAN alongside the Starlink Mini.
Featured Products
Hardware for remote utility sites
Every product below is available through PeplinkWorks as an Official Peplink Authorised UK Partner. The BR1 Mini RedCap is due in Q4: contact us to register interest.
Remote site routers
-
MAX BR1 Mini M2M
£407.55 -
MAX BR1 Mini LTE (Europe/Int’l GSM)
£360.05
Rapid Deployment · Standalone Solution
-
Antenna Max S
£626.05
Standalone kit · No head-end needed
Antenna MAX S with Starlink Mini
A single-router antenna enclosure paired with a Starlink Mini terminal, giving a lightweight, all-in-one cellular and LEO satellite link for sites with no usable cellular coverage, or for temporary works.
- Single-router antenna enclosure + Starlink Mini
- All-in-one cellular and LEO satellite
- Minimal footprint, quick install
Other Relevant Features
InControl 2
Cloud Management PlatformPush configuration to every Peplink device from a single screen, generate network reports, integrate via API. Fleet-wide visibility from any browser.
InTouch
Within InControl 2Allows for secure remote monitoring and management of linked industrial devices through a single cloud platform.
FAQs
Questions about utility site connectivity
Yes. The BR1 Mini M2M pairs an RS-232/485 serial port with a LAN port, so serial smart meters, controllers and sensors can report over cellular, and InTouch lets engineers reach them remotely.
The MAX BR1 Mini is Class 1 Division 2 approved with the optional mounting kit and operates from −40 °F to 149 °F, so it suits substations, kiosks and pump stations.
An Antenna MAX S with a Starlink Mini gives one compact cellular and LEO satellite mount, with a MAX BR1 Mini 5G inside. It suits sites with no usable coverage and temporary works, and needs no head-end.
VPN links between Peplink devices are highly encrypted and compatible with third-party firewalls, which matters for infrastructure that can’t afford a breach.
InControl 2 pushes configuration to every device, generates network reports and integrates via API. InTouch, within InControl 2, gives secure remote access to the devices behind each router.
The BR1 Mini RedCap is due for release in Q4. Contact us to register interest.
Next Steps
Connect your remote sites
Looking for a Connectivity Solution?
Tell us about your sites, the devices you need to reach and the links available, and a Peplink specialist will recommend the right setup.
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