Utility Week Live 2026 – Rethinking Rugged Field Technology for Utilities
Panasonic TOUGHBOOK recently participated in Utility Week Live, with delegates keen to explore how they can streamline mobile device deployments and keep field workers productive in any environment. Here are my key takeaways from an absorbing couple of days in Birmingham.
written by: Harriette Wysocki, Business Manager (Enterprise) at Panasonic TOUGHBOOK
No Substitute for Purpose-Built Devices
Many delegates mentioned that they were experiencing high failure rates with non-Panasonic devices, and suffering from durability and performance issues. This included poor battery life, and a lack of connectivity in areas with reduced coverage. It was therefore great to see so much interest in our TOUGHBOOK G2 and 33 2-in-1 detachable tablets
Many were keen to discuss the use of consumer devices for field work, a challenge the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK team regularly faces. Whilst the up-front cost savings may be appealing, consumer devices are simply not engineered to perform in extreme environments, last a full shift, or survive bumps and scrapes that always occur in the field. In many cases, they quickly become a false economy.
With one utilities field worker now expected to fulfil several roles, purpose-built rugged devices are the only choice. They offer superior durability, reliability and uptime (especially in extreme conditions), lowering failure rates and service interruptions. They also provide more consistent connectivity and battery performance and deliver lower total cost of ownership by minimising repairs and maintenance over a device’s entire lifecycle.
As-a-Service Solutions Gain Traction
IT decision-makers in every sector are now looking beyond device procurement only. They increasingly need a full-service solution – from image creation to de-fleeting – to maximise investments, focus on operational outcomes, and reduce the complexity of mobility.
This is where the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK Mobile-IT As-a-Service(MaaS) offering delivers this through a single, service-led model. Unachievable with consumer devices, MaaS combines hardware, software, configuration, accessories, repairs and end-of-life services into one subscription. By removing the operational and logistical burden on IT teams, it delivers a complete solution that’s tailored to real-world usage. MaaS ensures devices remain deployment-ready, maintained and up to date at all times.
The Power of Customer Storytelling
We were joined at Utility Week Live by our technology alliance partner, Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions. It turned out to be a great decision, as connectivity issues often crop up in the field, particularly when it comes to keeping engineers and maintenance teams connected at all times, regardless of location.
Panasonic’s Connected Vehicle solution equips fleets with rugged 5G routers and managed connectivity. This delivers near‑ubiquitous coverage, real-time data access and centralised network insights.
Multiple delegates at Utility Week Live mentioned our recent nationwide deployment with The AA. In partnership with Ericsson and Gamma Telecom, we installed more than 2,500 rugged 5G routers across The AA’s fleet, whilst helping to manage end‑to‑end deployment, including testing, training and ongoing support. This has delivered near-100% connectivity, improved efficiency, and reduced downtime and costs, leading to faster roadside repairs.
This prompted several conversations with utilities decision-makers about how to connect their own fleets. It also demonstrates the power of customer storytelling and real-world use cases in helping IT leaders realise what’s possible.
Responding to Regulatory Shifts
The ongoing digitisation and modernisation of utilities was a constant topic of discussion at Utility Week Live. The move from legacy technology to increasingly interconnected systems is crucial to future-proof the industry, whilst helping to increase day-to-day efficiency and productivity for field workers.
One example is the recent Cunliffe Report, released by The Independent Water Commission. This highlights the need for digitised technology to be central to water reform, with tighter compliance, environmental performance, and asset health monitoring a priority.
This will require increased field inspections and data capture at the edge, necessitating rugged devices with powerful connectivity and dependable reliability that can increase efficiency and productivity for employees – regardless of the environment.
An Inflection Point for Utilities
Utility Week Live made one thing clear. Utilities decision-makers need rugged, reliable, purpose-built mobility devices that give field workers peace-of-mind. As the sector continues to digitise, the focus will shift to solutions that deliver real-world resilience, uptime, and long-term value.
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