Smart Grids are characterized by the application of information communication technology (ICT) to solve electrical energy challenges. Electric power networks span large geographical areas, thus a necessary component of many Smart Grid applications is a wide area network (WAN). For the Smart Grid to be successful, utilities must be confident that the communications infrastructure is secure. This paper describes how a WAN can be deployed using WiMAX radio technology to provide high bandwidth communications to areas not commonly served by utility communications, such as generators embedded in the distribution network. A planning exercise is described, using Northern Ireland as a case study. The suitability of the technology for real-time applications is assessed using experimentally obtained latency data.