Why connectivity is critical for water utilities
From sensors in the field to analytics in the control room, digital innovations are empowering water utilities to tackle their regulatory, environmental and operational priorities. But realising the benefits of these digital capabilities means deploying them at scale, across thousands of sites and assets.
This is only possible with flexible, secure and reliable connectivity, tailored to the water industry’s unique demands.
As you look to accelerate digitisation in the way you monitor and secure your assets, embedding intelligent, secure and future-ready connectivity at every level of your operations will help you deliver smart, innovative and sustainable water services for generations to come.
Why connectivity is critical for water utilities
From sensors in the field to analytics in the control room, digital innovations are empowering water utilities to tackle their regulatory, environmental and operational priorities. But realising the benefits of these digital capabilities means deploying them at scale, across thousands of sites and assets.
This is only possible with flexible, secure and reliable connectivity, tailored to the water industry’s unique demands.
As you look to accelerate digitisation in the way you monitor and secure your assets, embedding intelligent, secure and future-ready connectivity at every level of your operations will help you deliver smart, innovative and sustainable water services for generations to come.
Tackling water industry challenges
Today’s water utilities are under intense pressure to do more with less: beating generational challenges and improving services while facing increased regulatory scrutiny. We believe the sheer scale of these challenges demands a new approach, built on connected digital technology.
Connectivity: The water industry’s hidden current
Achieve the best outcomes in critical use cases by deploying the optimum mix of hardware, software and specialist connectivity – delivered by an expert partner who really understands critical national infrastructure (CNI).
Connect even in hard-to-reach areas with secure Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) connectivity that offers extreme reach and an impressively long battery life for smart water meters.
Save millions in costs by detecting underground leaks early, and before water causes surface damage, using acoustic sensors and AI analytics that enable faster fixes and reduce water loss.
Optimise safety and asset performance in rural areas with satellite connectivity (GEO, MEO, and LEO). Backed by 40+ years of partnerships with GEO satellite operators, and more recently, collaborations with AST SpaceMobile and key LEO satellite providers. Our cellular CCTV solutions offer 24/7 monitoring with cost-efficient, compressed data streaming.
Prioritise safety for lone and field-based workers and maintain operational transparency and accountability, with connected body-worn cameras that stream footage in near-real time, enabling rapid action to be taken if needed.
Prevent major service interruptions and help protect your IT and OT systems, by opting for secure, compliant and resilient connectivity chosen by many CNI utilities and blue light services.
Modernise systems that rely on PSTN and 2G connectivity using up-to-date, secure, flexible and scalable IoT-enabled alternatives – purpose-built to collect and receive data from remote sensors and smart devices.
Deliver seamless customer experiences with a contact centre platform that enables more efficient service and shorter wait times – a big plus during busy periods or when customers need to report serious incidents.
Link your HQ offices, control rooms and treatment centres with reliable and secure fixed connectivity. Our high performance fixed network services support real-time monitoring, rapid decision-making and efficient systems to keep operations running smoothly.
Vodafone Business: Your trusted connectivity partner
We’re proud to support the UK’s CNI as a strategic partner and enabler. Our specialist connectivity services, and extensive partner ecosystem are here to help you harness the power of connected digital technologies with confidence.
Catchment and source
Use cases: River level monitoring, rainfall sensors, pollution alerts, borehole and reservoir monitoring
Vodafone enablers: Satellite (GEO and LEO), LPWA (LTE-M or NB-IoT)
Treatment plants
Use cases: Secure control systems, internal communications, real-time water quality monitoring
Vodafone enablers: LAN, WAN, WiFi, cyber-resilient networks, CCTV over 4G/5G
Pumping stations and distribution networks
Use cases: Leak detection, flow monitoring, alarm systems
Vodafone enablers: LPWA (LTE-M or NB-IoT), PSTN replacement, cellular routers (2G/4G/5G)
Smart metering at customer sites
Use cases: Real-time water usage tracking, early leak detection, billing transparency
Vodafone enablers: NB-IoT, data gateways
Field force and emergency response units
Use cases: Remote job management, engineer safety, incident logging
Vodafone enablers: LPWA (LTE-M or NB-IoT), PSTN replacement, cellular routers (2G/4G/5G)
Control rooms and HQ
Use cases: Central monitoring, analytics, regulatory reporting, cyber resilience and defence
Vodafone enablers: WAN, LAN, secure networking, cloud telemetry, PSTN transition planning
Customer experience
Use cases: Inbound and outbound multi-channel customer communications, emergency and incident management/comms, modular and flexible service
Vodafone enablers: Vodafone Business storm® cloud-based contact centre platform
Why Vodafone for the water industry?
Building our best network
Backed by an £11bn investment, we’re creating the Nation's Network*, unlocking opportunities in every sector of the economy, and transforming the way businesses connect and thrive.
Proven in CNI
82% of blue light services rely on our connectivity – including the NHS 111 helpline – enabling these organisations to deliver the support that the UK depends on.
Heightening cyber protection
Vodafone Business Security Enhanced (VBSE) is our specialist unit that protects UK CNI, combining people, processes and technologies against evolving and aggressive threats.
Strong utilities track record
We work closely with 100% of electricity and gas transmission operators, 100% of electricity distribution operators and 100% of gas distribution operators – collectively serving millions of UK customers.
Award-winning services
We’re recognised by independent analysts for our commitments to innovation, sustainability and responsible business:
IoT Alliance of the Year award
Our initiative with DCC (Data Communications Company) to connect smart meters across Britain was recognised by the 2024 IoT Breakthrough Awards.9
EcoVadis platinum medal
We're in the top 1% of companies worldwide, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability and have improved our score to 85/100.10
CDP ‘A’ rating
Vodafone was recognised by global environmental non-profit CDP for outstanding efforts and transparency in addressing climate change.11
Leader, Forrester Wave™ Zero Trust Edge Service Providers 2024
We’re recognised as a Leader among 9 providers, highlighting our strength in secure edge services.12
Leader, Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Global WAN Services, 2024
We’ve been named a Leader for the 6th year in a row, reflecting our ongoing excellence in global connectivity.13
Leader, Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Managed IoT Connectivity Services Worldwide 2025
Vodafone has been recognised as a Leader for the 11th time in a row.14
Let’s accelerate your modernisation journey
Ready to explore how secure, scalable connectivity can help you tackle your operational, regulatory and financial challenges?
Our water industry experts are here to help – please just reach out using the contact details below
Jason Tierney
Sector Head, Welfare, Environment and Water Utilities, Key Accounts, Vodafone Business
Email: jason.tierney@vodafone.com
We look forward to hearing from you.
1 Met Office, Joint hottest summer on record for England
2 BBC News, England sewage spills hit record 3.6m hours last year
4 The Guardian, Water companies in England ‘will take 2,000 years to replace pipe network’
5 British Water, The Importance of Innovation in Delivering AMP8
7 PwC UK Cyber Readiness Survey
8 The Guardian, Thames Water’s IT ‘falling apart’ and is hit by cyber-attacks, sources claim
9 Vodafone UK, IoT Breakthrough Awards lauds Vodafone smart meters upgrade
10 Vodafone, Our sustainability goals
11 Vodafone, Vodafone again recognised with CDP 'A' score
12 Vodafone, Vodafone named a Leader in Zero Trust Edge Services by Forrester Research
13 Vodafone, Vodafone named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Global WAN Services 14 Vodafone, 11th year recognised as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Managed IoT Connectivity Services Worldwide
*Nation’s Network: Vodafone UK is nation's most valuable UK telecoms provider & most valuable UK brand overall, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supports the nation since 1984 through to 2024's major summer events & beyond. See full verification of the substantiation, vodafone.co.uk/network
1 Met Office, Joint hottest summer on record for England
2 BBC News, England sewage spills hit record 3.6m hours last year
4 The Guardian, Water companies in England ‘will take 2,000 years to replace pipe network’
5 British Water, The Importance of Innovation in Delivering AMP8
7 PwC UK Cyber Readiness Survey
8 The Guardian, Thames Water’s IT ‘falling apart’ and is hit by cyber-attacks, sources claim
9 Vodafone UK, IoT Breakthrough Awards lauds Vodafone smart meters upgrade
10 Vodafone, Our sustainability goals
11 Vodafone, Vodafone again recognised with CDP 'A' score
12 Vodafone, Vodafone named a Leader in Zero Trust Edge Services by Forrester Research
13 Vodafone, Vodafone named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Global WAN Services 14 Vodafone, 11th year recognised as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Managed IoT Connectivity Services Worldwide
*Nation’s Network: Vodafone UK is nation's most valuable UK telecoms provider & most valuable UK brand overall, verified by Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable UK Brands Report 2024, and supports the nation since 1984 through to 2024's major summer events & beyond. See full verification of the substantiation, vodafone.co.uk/network
Registered in England and Wales. Company No 01471587. Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 2FN
