What are the Power Line Carrier Notification Activity and PLC Database?
UTC works with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to support the Power Line Carrier Notification Activity. In order to provide greater recognition of utility use of power line carrier, the FCC developed rules that established an industry-operated notification activity to help minimize mutual interference between PLC users and licensed users (LU). The purpose of the Power Line Carrier Notification Activity is to establish and maintain a transmission Power Line Carrier Data Base (PLCDB) and a Authorized User Data Base (AUDB), which will provide the information necessary for the identification and notification of potential interference between Power Line Carrier (PLC) and Authorized User (AU) facilities. This Activity is established as provided for in the FCC Rules and Regulations, Part 90.35(g) (47 C.F.R. ' 90.35(g)) relative to PLC operation in the 10-490 kHz band, and the NTIA Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management, in Part 8.3, under the heading “Notifications in the Band 10-490 kHz,” (see 47 C.F.R., Chapter III). Electric utilities are allowed to use power line carrier (PLC) transmitters and receivers for control signals and information transmission in the 10-490 kHz band without obtaining a license from the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). However, PLC users are not protected from interference from licensed radio transmitters. As a participant, the Power Line Carrier Notification Activity provides you with a means to determine if a licensed user facility could potentially interfere with the PLC facility(s) that you presently operate or plan to operate. Every time UTC receives information on a new or modified PLC facility from you or receives an application from the government for an LU transmitter in the 10-490 kHz band, the comparison process will be performed. Participation in the Notification Activity also gives you the opportunity to coordinate your PLC frequency selection with other utilities.
Is participation optional?
Participation in UTC’s PLC database program is mandatory under FCC Rules for those utilities operating on frequencies between 10-490 kHz. I refer you to Section 90.35(g) of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations, 47 C.F.R. § 90.35(g): The frequencies 10-490 kHz are used to operate electric utility Power Line Carrier (PLC) systems on power transmission lines for communications essential to the reliability and security of electric service to the public . . . [a]ny electric utility that generates, transmits, or distributes electrical energy for use by the general public or by the members of a cooperative organization may operate PLC systems and shall supply to a Federal Communications Commission/National Telecommunications and Information Administration recognized industry operated entity, information on all existing, changes to existing and proposed systems for inclusion in a database. The rule section also includes information on the type of data to be provided and the purpose of the database in avoiding interference to licensed federal government users. UTC has been the recognized industry-operated entity for the PLC database since 1990.
Why isn't the PLC Database maintained online so I can access it whenever I want?
Unfortunately, because of the sensitive nature of the information contained in the PLC Database, you are not able to access the database online. A request for the electronic file sent to plcdatabase@utc.org is usually turned around within 48 hours.
How is Power Line Carrier different from Power Line Communications (aka BPL)?
PLC is the acronym used for both power line carrier and power line communications, but the two systems are completely different in technology and function. Power line carrier systems have been widely deployed for decades, and are narrowband analog systems that are used to protect the electric grid in the event of a fault on transmission infrastructure. Power line carrier systems operate on frequencies between 9 kHz and 490 kHz --and to repeat -- are exclusively confined to transmission infrastructure for long range communications to operate transfer trip devices that isolate faults on the network.
Power line communications, which the FCC has dubbed "broadband over power line" (BPL), provides last mile digital broadband connectivity on distribution infrastructure. Power line communications supports commercial applications, such as high-speed Internet access and voice, video-on-demand and streaming audio services, as well as internal utility applications. Power line communications (or BPL) systems operate on frequencies above 1.705 MHz.
Why is there an Annual Assessment? I pay UTC dues. Why doesn't that cover participation in the PLC Notification Activty/PLC Database?
UTC has been the recognized industry-operated entity for the PLC database since 1990. This responsibility is not without cost. In 2002, to meet new federal hardware and software standards, new and additional costs were imposed on UTC to manage the database. As a frequency-specific service affecting only some of UTC’s members, these costs are not covered by UTC member dues. That year UTC began charging a small assessment to those companies using the specified frequencies, a targeted fee to recover the costs of maintaining and running the database, as well as complying with the federal reporting requirements that are part of our Memorandum of Understanding with the FCC and NTIA. The assessment is based on number of transmitters, and is designed to minimize the impact on UTC member participants and other utility companies.
How do I request an elctronic copy of our data that is currently in the database?
Requests for a copy of your electronic file should be made by e-mailing plcdatabase@utc.org. You will received the Excel file within 2 business days unless otherwise notified.
What is the process for updating our organization's information?
Information for each participating utility is maintained in the PLC Database. Each record includes a primary contact and listings of stations, transmitters and receivers.
Changes to this information should be reported to UTC immediately.
Changes to transmitter information are required to be made prior to putting the new equipment into operation to verify there will be no interference with federal frequency use. There are two ways to update your organization's information in the PLC Database:
- Request a copy of your electronic file by e-mailing plcdatabase@utc.org. You will received the file within 2 business days unless otherwise notified. Once you receive the file, make changes directly to the electronic copy of your file and submit it to plcdatabase@utc.org
- Download Form1 and Form2 (and the instructions!), complete them and fax them to 202.833.6804.
Updates to information will be processed within 5 working days unless received as a part of the annual update request (additional time is required because of the volume). Requests to add transmitters will be responded to within 5 working days unless an indication is given that this is an urgent request that requires a shorter turn around time.
How do I request a new transmitter frequency?
Download Form2, complete the form and fax it to 202.833.6804. Requests to add transmitters will be responded to within 5 working days unless an indication is given that this is an urgent request that requires a shorter turn around time.
Who do I contact if I'm not happy with the response time to my requests?
Jill Lyon
VP & General Counsel
Phone/Fax: 202-833-6808
jill.lyon@utc.org
If there are any further questions concerning the operation of the database, please contact Kathleen Fitzpatrick; for questions concerning FCC and NTIA requirements, please have your legal counsel contact Jill Lyon, UTC's General Counsel.
