What do you do when fibre cannot reach critical substations – and when rugged mountains, heat and sandstorms threaten every communication link? In Oman, the answer has been M!DGE cellular routers for more than a decade.
https//www.racom.eu/eng/case/future-ready-scada-in-oman
Challenge: Reliable Communications Across a Growing Power Distribution Network
Muscat Electricity Distribution Company – today operating as Nama Electricity Distribution Company – manages more than 3,900 square kilometres of power infrastructure across the Muscat governorate. The utility needed a communication solution capable of:
- Maintaining secure IEC 60870-5-104 links between substations and the Distribution Control Centre
- Providing high availability in areas without fibre connectivity
- Operating reliably in extreme temperatures and challenging desert terrain
- Scaling across more than 150 substations
- Transitioning smoothly toward modern 4G and 5G technologies
Fibre was available in some urban areas, but large sections of the region required a wireless alternative that could offer carrier-grade stability.
Solution: M!DGE – From Proven 3G to Future-Proof 4G and 5G
In 2014, RACOM supplied more than 160 M!DGE 3G cellular routers as backup links to the fibre network. The routers provided:
- Secure IP communication with IEC 60870-5-104
- Stable performance even during harsh weather and long desert summers
- Easy integration with RTUs and legacy SCADA equipment
- A reliable fallback path in case of fibre disruption
Performance was so strong that in 2023, when Nama EDC announced an upgrade tender for next-generation 4G and 5G routers, the new M!DGE3 was selected over well-known competitors including the Advantech SR303 and Teltonika RUT955.
M!DGE3 introduced major advancements:
- Multiple Ethernet ports and digital I/Os
- Dual SIM and multi-carrier flexibility
- Built-in VPN, IPsec and firewall security
- Full 4G and 5G readiness for long-term sustainability
Results: Long-Term Reliability and a Smooth Transition to M!DGE3
Today, more than 150 substations in the Muscat region rely on M!DGE routers – first 3G, now upgraded to 4G and 5G – to maintain resilient SCADA communication.
Key outcomes include:
- A seamless migration from M!DGE to M!DGE3 with zero service interruption
- Robust and secure communication in demanding climatic conditions
- A trusted long-term partnership between Nama EDC and RACOM
- A communication platform ready for future growth and network modernisation
The success of this project reinforces M!DGE as a reliable and secure communication backbone for utility networks operating in extreme environments.
