Access to Spectrum for Utilities Will Support Smart Grid and Emergency Communications - UTC Files Reply Comments to FCC

While commercial carriers may be able to meet some utility communications needs, most utilities will rely on private internal communications networks to support mission-critical applications that protect the safety, reliability and security of the nation’s electric grid and other critical infrastructure industries.

In reply comments posted last week in response to comments by AT&T to the FCC's Notice of Inquiry on 'Effects on Broadband Communications Networks Of Damage to or Failure of Network Equipment Or Severe Overload' (PS Docket No. 10-92, 75 Fed. Reg. 26180 (May 11, 2010), the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) noted that AT&T's comments claim that commercial broadband networks can support utility communications needs and that therefore the Commission should not provide utilities access to any spectrum for their private internal communications networks that are used to support smart grid and other applications, such as emergency response communications. However, access to spectrum will be critical for the cost effective and timely deployment of smart grid systems, and should be provided, notwithstanding carrier claims of reliability.

AT&T opposes access to spectrum based on general policy arguments that do not address the real concerns that utilities have with using commercial networks for utility communications. While it is true that utilities will use commercial systems for some smart grid applications, such as AMI, utilities need private internal communications networks for mission critical applications. And spectrum is necessary to build out and upgrade those networks to support smart grid on a cost effective and timely basis. As smart grid is important to several overarching national policy goals, including energy independence, environmental quality and national security; it is clearly appropriate to ensure that utilities have access to suitable spectrum to support the reliability of the communications systems that support smart grid. UTC's comments urge the Commission to support access to spectrum for smart grid and other utility communications.

UTC's reply comments can be accessed here.

UTC's comments to the filing can be found here.