Spectrum

The conference report has combined provisions from the House bill (Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum (JOBS) Act) and the Senate bill (Strengthening Public-safety and Enhancing Communications Through Reform, Utilization, and Modernization (SPECTRUM) Act, S. 911) concerning the ability to access either the network capacity or network infrastructure for the purposes of providing non-public safety services.

Citing serious concerns about congestion and interference that could be caused to utility communication operations, UTC filed comments in opposition to a Petition for Rule Making filed by Pyramid Communications with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Pyramid has proposed removing restrictions on voice operations on 173.2375, 173.2625, 173.2875, 173.3375 and 173.3625 MHz in order to provide Vehicular Repeater Systems (VRS).

Download Report Here

The State of Michigan has filed a request for waiver from the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to allow for construction and deployment of a 700 MHz public safety interoperable broadband network, and as part of the waiver, the State proposes to share the network with Consumers Energy and other utilities. This waiver is important and recognizes the public safety role of utilities.

As the energy industry moves forward in the development and deployment of smart energy grids, marketing ploys that misrepresent utility capabilities and needs have been implemented that are designed to skew both utility decisions and regulatory oversight. The marketing ploys ignore the fact that utilities will ultimately choose to build their own networks or buy telecom services based upon technical requirements, costs and levels of service required.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 27, 2011

The Utilities Telecom Council filed a Petition for Reconsideration yesterday with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) urging the FCC to reconsider its Order that restricts the use of fixed operations in the 700 MHz public safety broadband spectrum, such that fixed operations are permitted only on an ancillary and secondary basis.

Why Utilities Need Spectrum

On Wednesday, December 8, 2010, the Department of Energy hosted a “Spectrum Policy Seminar”, featuring presentations by high-level representatives from the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology, the Wireless Bureau, and the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, as well as representatives from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

 700 D-Block Spectrum Allocation to Public Safety

Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act (S3756) - Introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D- WV) on August 5, 2010. Hearing held on September 23, 2010.