13 Jun UTC Applauds FCC for Proposing to Enable All Utilities & Other CII to Access 4.9 GHz Spectrum
Washington, DC—By proposing to expand eligibility in the 4.9 GHz band to include utilities and other critical infrastructure industries (CII) on a primary basis, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took a significant step today towards helping utilities and other CII meet their increasing communications needs for smart grid and emergency response. The 4.9 GHz band would provide utilities with access to 50 MHz of spectrum that can support high capacity and short range communications for a variety of applications including substation monitoring and backhaul of advanced metering data. In addition, the decision may open further opportunities to use the spectrum for interoperability among utilities and public safety during and after emergencies such as hurricanes and ice storms.
“UTC appreciates the efforts of the FCC to provide access to additional spectrum for utilities and other CII. Utilities and CII are undergoing a spectrum crisis, due to increasing demand and shrinking supply of suitable spectrum. Eligibility to this spectrum would help to provide high-capacity communications for fixed and mobile applications. UTC supports the Commission’s proposal and looks forward to working with the Commission going forward to enable utilities and other CII to make more effective use of this spectrum,” UTC President and CEO Connie Durcsak said.
Utility telecommunications is integral to reliable and secure utility services. UTC is the premier trade association navigating the convergence of telecommunications, operations and information technology to identify, innovate and enable mission critical solutions for essential utility services. Since 1948, UTC is the source and resource for information and communications technology (ICT) solutions, collaboration and advocacy for utilities and other critical infrastructure industries.
– See more at: https://www.utc.org/press-release/utc-applauds-fcc-proposing-enable-all-utilities-other-cii-access-49-ghz-spectrum#sthash.DkcDkxT9.dpuf
