Case Study: ELFEC S.A. achieves greater grid reliability with Nokia IP/MPLS communications

ELFEC modernize grid communications building utility-grade transport backbone and mission-critical IP/MPLS network

ELFEC S.A., the second-largest electricity distributor in Bolivia, faced challenges with unreliable communications across its extensive grid. Their legacy system, dependent on high-latency leased lines from telecom providers, lacked the redundancy and Quality of Service (QoS) necessary to prioritize critical operational traffic like SCADA and teleprotection. To modernize, they partnered with vendor Nokia to build a new robust and flexible communications platform.

Nokia implemented a fully redundant IP/MPLS network for ELFEC, using optical fiber as the primary transport and a wireless system as a fallback. Nokia's solution deployed 7705 SAR-8 routers in substations to create a resilient ring topology and 7210 SAS switches for wireless access and within substations. This segmented all services with QoS, dramatically improving substation reliability and grid response times. The new network provides a future-proof platform for ELFEC's ongoing modernization, including plans for advanced metering and a private mobile network.

ELFEC S.A.

Alvaro Guilarte

Substations Manager