UTC Urges the FCC to Allocate Spectrum for Utilities for Small Cell Spectrum Sharing in the 3.5 GHz Band
Washington, DC—The Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allocate spectrum for utilities for small cell spectrum sharing in the 3.5 GHz band (3550-3650 MHz). In reply comments filed at the FCC in ET Docket No. 12-354, UTC noted the widespread support for the Commission’s proposal to establish a Priority Access tier in the band for certain critical, quality-of-service dependent users, such as utilities, that rely on mission critical communications.
In the comment filing UTC emphasized that utilities desperately need access to additional spectrum to support their communications needs, and that this spectrum must be protected against interference and congestion from other non-mission critical operations in the band. UTC also emphasized that the Priority Access tier should not include commercial service providers, because it could lead to congestion and interference and the communications needs of commercial service providers can be met using the General Authorized Access tier of the 3.5 GHz band, as well as other spectrum bands that they can access.
Further, UTC echoed the widespread support on the record for the Commission’s proposal to combine the 3.5 GHz band with the 3.65 GHz band (3650-3700 MHz), thereby creating 150 MHz of contiguous spectrum that could provide additional capacity and licensing flexibility under a harmonized regulatory framework that would rely on a Spectrum Access System database to coordinate operations in real-time and prevent interference.
“The 3.5 GHz band can be used effectively to support various utility communications needs, such as grid modernization and emergency response in the aftermath of hurricanes, storms and other disasters when utilities work with public safety and restore service. Utilities own and operate extensive private internal communications networks that support the safe reliable and effective delivery of essential electric, gas and water services to the public at large”, stated Brett Killbourne, UTC’s Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs & Deputy General Counsel. “As such, UTC applauds the Commission for its initiative in proposing in the 3.5 GHz rulemaking to establish a Priority Access tier for utilities’ and other mission critical communications.
Utilities Telecom Council
Utility information and communications technology (ICT) is integral to reliable and secure utility services. UTC is the premier trade association for information, telecommunications, and operations technologies to identify, innovate and enable mission critical solutions for essential utility services. Since 1948, UTC is the source and resource for ICT solutions, collaboration and advocacy for utilities and other critical infrastructure industries.