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UTC Wireless issues Update NSMA 2008

UTC Wireless issues Update NSMA 2008. Jill M. Lyon VP & General Counsel May 20, 2008. Utility/ ci wireless issues. RELIABILITY Systems built to withstand disasters Systems built to work everywhere New solutions always considered, but vendor and technology must be proven

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UTC Wireless issues Update NSMA 2008

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  1. UTC Wireless issues UpdateNSMA 2008 Jill M. Lyon VP & General Counsel May 20, 2008

  2. Utility/ci wireless issues • RELIABILITY • Systems built to withstand disasters • Systems built to work everywhere • New solutions always considered, but vendor and technology must be proven • Maintaining existing spectrum viability • Access to sufficient spectrum (shared or dedicated) to meet significant future needs • Interoperability • Within utility, among systems • Between utility and others (emergencies) • Among utilities at data level (Smart Grids)

  3. Recent Developments – Energy Independence & Security Act • First time Congress thinks of utilities and communications/IT together! • Lays out Congressional thinking about what is necessary for smart grid migration and how Federal government should participate • For specific UTC goals, Title XIII (Smart Grid) discusses utility communications capability in several places

  4. R&D and Demo • DOE, FERC, States and stakeholders to carry out program re: digital information technology use. Broad language, but importantly, includes language: • “to conduct research to advance the use of . . . secure and dependable communications in a highly distributed environment” • “to test new reliability technologies, including those concerning communications network capabilities in a grid control room environment” • “to identify communications network capacity needed to implement advanced technologies.”

  5. OEDER Report • DOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability tasked w/report on status of smart grid deployments: 1 yr, then every 2 years • Report to include utility communications network capabilities • Can include recommendations for State/Federal policies, actions to help transition • Should be regionally based • Title also mandates Smart Grid Advisory Committee (stakeholders), Task Force (internal to FG); funding options; standards; security inquiry.

  6. UTC Spectrum issues Existing Spectrum Challenges • 150-512 MHz Narrowbanding and Next Steps • 700 MHz – Access for CI? • 800 MHz – Rebanding mostly complete; new decision for Canadian border regions • 900 MHz – LMR Decision Coming? • 902-928 MHz – LMS Changes Must Protect Critical Systems; also Spectrum Etiquette • 2 GHz Microwave Relocation – again • 6 GHz – support FWCC’s call for 30 MHz paths • 14 GHz – Petition for Rulemaking to allow secondary use by CI • TV White Spaces • Migratory birds & tower lighting

  7. Recent Developments –700 MHz • FCC auction of A-E blocks of spectrum nets $19 billion, but no D-Block sale, questions about viability of interoperable network framework • FNPR just released asks questions about how to re-auction (keep PS network? Basic commercial auction?) • Mention of CI as possible users; however, question of eligibility based on Sec. 337 definition • Regardless of outcome, utilities will make good partners for D-block winner: access to towers, infrastructure, fiber, for access to spectrum

  8. 14 GHz sharing • Petition for Rulemaking filed 5/6 seeks CII access to 14.0-14.5 GHz • Secondary status – spectrum shared with satellite • Designed for terrestrial pt-to-pt, pt-to-multipt. • Could support short-distance, broadband data needs • UTC to obtain nationwide license, serve as “CII Coordinator” under proposal • Commercial operator Winchester would have lower-priority access, help to avoid interference with satellite.

  9. Recent Developments – Migratory Birds • FCC loses challenge by environmental groups in DC Circuit court 2/19 • Didn’t apply NEPA, other statutes properly when denying challenge to Gulf towers • Remanded to comply, also provide meaningful notice of pending tower applications - ? • NAB/CTIA/NATE/PCIA petition to include notice as part of ASR process – environmental challenges to be treated as Petitions to Deny • LMCC to file comments noting difficulties created for frequency coordinators, suggesting solutions

  10. Conclusions • Utilities to spend $100s billions over next 10-20 yrs as part of revolution in infrastructure – telecom/IT networks are key • BUT – continued focus on reliability, add’l regulation will require balance between new technologies and proven capabilities • Most utilities will build new technologies INTERNALLY or seek partnerships where they control, to meet requirements • UTC providing research, conferences, training, as well as seeking spectrum solutions and protection to help meet needs.

  11. Thank you! For more information, contact: Jill Lyon, jill.lyon@utc.org

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