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Spectrum Issues for Critical Infrastructure: Pressures Mounting

This article discusses the increasing pressures faced by critical infrastructure organizations in managing their spectrum allocation for wireless communication. It highlights the importance of reliable, exclusive, and always available wireless networks and the need for interoperability and robustness in emergency response planning. The article also addresses the challenges and future requirements of the energy sector in using wireless systems and emphasizes the interdependencies between communications, IT, and energy sectors. The need for dedicated spectrum allocation for critical infrastructure is emphasized, along with the current obstacles and pending spectrum allocation issues. The article concludes by urging industry action and coordination to address these challenges.

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Spectrum Issues for Critical Infrastructure: Pressures Mounting

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  1. Spectrum Issues for Critical Infrastructure: Pressures Mounting United Telecom Council NSMA Spectrum Management 2006 May 16, 2006

  2. CI Uses Extensive Internal Wireless • Must be reliable, exclusive and always available • Ubiquitous coverage – wireless must be everywhere crews go • Interference-free – mistakes cost worker lives • Interoperability – CI personnel are emergency responders; utilities routinely have nationwide response in disasters • Systems are robust – utilities build to keep working

  3. How Utilities Use Wireless • Mobile voice and data communications to employees and field crews • Distribution SCADA to remotes in substations and line devices • 802.xx systems in offices, substations • Automated, intelligent metering systems • GIS-based work management systems • Meteorological data gathering • Emissions monitoring • Alarm systems • Safety/control-related systems generally NOT entrusted to commercial networks

  4. Recent Events Highlight Dependence • 9/11 found ConEd land mobile system functional, although WTC and nearby facilities lost • Hurricanes of 2004/2005 – internal systems (fiber, microwave and land mobile) performed when all commercial systems down

  5. UTC 2005 Gulf Coast Utility Study • 15 area utilities of various sizes responded • All reported continued performance from comm systems • One exception, when utility had moved to cellular for primary voice • Strengths included mobile wireless, microwave, fiber

  6. Gulf Coast Study (cont.) • Findings: • System survival highlights importance of private networks to safety, restoration • Robust systems and planning habits make CI obvious partners in emergency response planning • Nationwide response by utilities points up interoperability problems, need for dedicated spectrum for future • Coordination with public safety inconsistent and inadequate

  7. Future Requirements Will Increase Dependence • Energy Policy Act of 2005 will mean new reliance on technology • 2/07 deadline for time-based rate availability requires smart, telecom-based meters • Repeal of PUHCA likely to lead to re-orgs that will require better communications integration • Energy price transparency requirement likely to require electronic information system • Nuclear security measures, including tracking/monitoring system, emergency response communications procedures • Focus on reliability will underscore necessary robustness of wireless systems

  8. Interdependencies • Growing recognition of mutual reliance among communications, IT and energy sectors • UTC participation in NSTAC TEPITF • 4/20 – NSTAC letter to President calling for telecom, utility workers being named as “emergency responders,” included in planning • Without power, nothing works – and power providers rely on their wireless systems!

  9. But CI Faces Obstacles • Current wireless allocations shared, and degrading • Gradual loss through regulatory action, congestion • CI HAS NO DEDICATED SPECTRUM, UNLIKE PS! • Concern – FCC’s new Public Safety/Homeland Security Bureau will not include CI • Where is the home for internal wireless systems? • How will Bureaus coordinate actions, policy?

  10. Current Issues • Pending – narrowbanding in 150-512 MHz • 800 MHz rebanding • 900 MHz LMR auction proposal • 900 MHz LMS rules change proposal • 2 GHz microwave relocation

  11. Spectrum Allocation • UTC and its members seeking 6-10 MHz nationwide for next generation wireless systems • Voice and data; likely IP-enabled • Built to utility standards and interoperable for emergency response • To be made available to public safety, other responders as needed • Due to infrastructure costs, sought below 1 GHz

  12. Long-Term Goal • No private wireless allocation to non-public safety for >20 yrs. • FCC policy agenda does not include attention to internal systems – industry work needed! • UTC working on a variety of fronts; meanwhile, pressure mounting

  13. Thank You! For more information, contact UTC www.utc.org Jill Lyon 202.833.6808 Jill.lyon@utc.org

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