Spectrum Options and Policies

Aryeh B. FishmanAssociate General Counsel, Regulatory Legal Affairs

2014 Utility Spectrum Access MeetingSouthern Company, Atlanta, GA

September 9, 2014

Scarce & Expensive Commodity

Grid Resiliency/ Restoration

Inadequate Support for

Field Operations

Interference from Other Commercial

Users

Loss of Commercial

Service

THE SPECTRUM GAP

A STRATEGY TO CLOSE THE GAP

• Develop White Papers with UTC to Show Existing Uses & Needs

1• Socialize White Papers with

Federal Partners and Other CII

2• Conduct Public Policy

Campaign3• Present Proposal to FCC

with Coalition of Federal & CII Entities

4

RAISING AWARENESS OF UTILITY SPECTRUM NEEDS

DEMONSTRATE VITAL ROLE OF ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY

Link industry to national priorities

Highlight EVs, M2M communications that support efficiency and environmental goals

Tie industry to business continuity interests: Emphasize: utility

communications are key to maintaining and restoring power

DEMONSTRATE CRITICAL INTERESTS IN MODERNIZED GRID

Reliable operations over large service territories

A modern grid that is part of the “internet of things” Demonstrate industry investments in grid

modernization, and emphasize $16 billion/year to improve communications and security

The digital economy, including data centers

Integration of renewables and distributed generation

DEFINE PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Establish that utilities face increasing difficulty in securing sufficient spectrum access IP transition and termination of services

Demonstrate that utility spectrum deficit will slow nation’s progress to greater energy independence, energy efficiency and environmental goals

Establish that identifying a national band for utility networks would speed up smart grid deployment that supports national objectives

OPTIONS FOR A NATIONAL UTILITY SPECTRUM PLAN

10 MHz of spectrum is needed to meet utility demands

Some options: Dedicated or shared

spectrum Expanded Spectrum

sharing Unlicensed spectrum Reductions or limits on

technical restrictions

INDUSTRY’S “ASKS”

Utilities need spectrum in 1 or 2 separate bands in frequency range below 1 GHz: 1st potential “ask” is sharing

406-420 MHz with Federal agencies

2nd potential “ask” is separate slightly higher band below 1 GHz for urban areas

3rd potential “ask” would be options in the 700 MHz and 900 MHz land mobile bands

CALL TO ACTION

What is the best way to use this white paper to raise awareness among industry and policy makers?