UTC Seeks Partial Reconsideration for Restrictions on Fixed Operations in the 700 MHz Public Safety Broadband Spectrum

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. This restriction is a potential roadblock to public safety and utility sharing of the spectrum because the Order limits the utility use of the spectrum so that it is unable to support smart grid applications to the full extent. UTC believes that spectrum sharing between utilities and public safety is a critical element of the FCC's National Broadband Plan, as the sharing promotes interoperability among first responders and economic efficiency by lowering the costs for each party to build an effective network. Yet this Order makes the sharing of spectrum a less attractive option to utilities because it limits the industry’s flexibility on the use of the spectrum which is needed to support next-generation technology for the smart grid.