Industrial digital transformation starts with reliable connectivity—and in remote oil and gas operations, traditional carrier coverage is not always available where the work happens. Recorded live at ENTELEC 2026 in Galveston, Texas, Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Andreas Bitzarakis, Managing Director of Broadband at Select Spectrum, to discuss how licensed wireless spectrum supports private LTE and 5G networks across oil and gas, utilities, and other critical infrastructure. Andreas explains how Select Spectrum helps organizations identify, acquire, lease, or sell spectrum rights—and why selecting the right frequency for the right geography is a critical early step in private network development. Topics include: ⚡ Private LTE and 5G networks for oil and gas ⚡ Connectivity challenges in remote operating areas ⚡ Licensed spectrum versus shared spectrum ⚡ Buying and leasing FCC-licensed spectrum rights ⚡ Why spectrum availability varies by location ⚡ Supporting SCADA, telemetry, video, and operational data ⚡ Working with operators, engineers, integrators, and equipment manufacturers ⚡ Broadband and narrowband spectrum options ⚡ Band 54 for utilities and critical infrastructure ⚡ Building secure, operator-controlled private networks Whether you work in operational technology, telecommunications, SCADA, industrial automation, engineering, or digital transformation, this conversation provides a practical introduction to the spectrum decisions behind reliable private wireless networks. Guest: Andreas Bitzarakis Managing Director, Broadband Select Spectrum https://www.selectspectrum.com Recorded live at the 2026 ENTELEC Conference & Expo in Galveston, Texas. Presented by OpSite Energy OpSite Energy provides 24/7 remote operations, SCADA and control room services, alarm management, industrial automation, OT/IT integration, and industrial AI solutions. Learn more: https://www.opsiteenergy.com Subscribe to the Energy Tech Podcast for more conversations covering operational technology, SCADA, industrial automation, private wireless networks, cybersecurity, AI, and energy infrastructure. Music: Uygar Duzgun – “Fast Life” Courtesy of Epidemic Sound 00:00 Introduction from ENTELEC 2026 00:52 Meet Andreas Bitzarakis 01:13 What Select Spectrum Does 01:42 Connectivity Challenges in Remote Oil & Gas 02:32 Private Networks and Operational Data Control 03:00 Buying, Leasing and Selling Spectrum Rights 03:48 What Select Spectrum Does—and Does Not Do 04:39 Serving Operators of Every Size 05:37 Who Leads Private Network Decisions? 06:12 Engineering and Technology Partnerships 06:52 The Biggest Spectrum Availability Challenge 08:26 Solving the Missing Piece in Network Projects 09:19 Exclusive FCC-Licensed Spectrum 10:24 Broadband, Narrowband and Industry Expertise 10:55 Band 54 for Critical Infrastructure 11:58 How to Work with Select Spectrum 12:23 What Andreas Hopes to Accomplish at ENTELEC 13:27 Closing Thoughts
