WASHINGTON — Lately the commission’s attempts to re-purpose spectrum used by broadcasters (“C-band”) has caused some anxiety within our ranks.
And it seems we’re not the only ones: the Utilities Technology Council, a trade group representing hundreds of U.S. utility companies, is urging federal agencies to make sure that power and electricity providers retain control of interference-free spectrum so they can continue to operate their own private wireless networks, reports fiercewireless.com. Utilities need their own licensed spectrum is because for decades they have built out and maintained their own networks rather than outsourcing service from commercial telecommunications carriers.
“Utilities require high levels of reliability that traditional telecommunications carriers are unable or unwilling to provide.” Hmm — sounds like another field I know.
UTC’s director of communications and advocacy, Rob Thormeyer, said that the group is spending most of its current work on spectrum bands including 6 GHz, 3.5 GHz, 4.9 GHz and 406-420 MHz. In the on-going debate about shared spectrum in the CBRS 3.5 GHz band, the UTC is urging the FCC against expanding operations in that band to include the 3.65 GHz band because the group argued it may potentially cause interference to the incumbent systems that operate there, according to the same article.
We will keep you update on the results of this fight for spectrum as they become available. In the meantime don’t forget to register your C-band downlink!
