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Published byCora Griffin Modified over 9 years ago
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Jill M. Lyon VP & General Counsel May 20, 2008
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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)
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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
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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.”
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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For more information, contact: Jill Lyon, jill.lyon@utc.orgjill.lyon@utc.org
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