Spectrum Availability and RF Infrastructure Summit

Speaker(s)

Government

Brad Nelson

Idaho National Laboratory

UTC Staff

Brett Kilbourne

General Counsel

Stevens & Lee

Vendor Member

Daniel Zimmerman

Senior Manager

West Monroe

Vendor Member

David Hattey

Senior Associate Consultant

Lockard & White, Inc.

Vendor Member

John Werner

Senior Manager, Utilities and Communications

Thayer Power & Communication

Utility Member

Kristie Goodson

Sr. Dark Fiber Specialist

Tennessee Valley Authority

Vendor Member

Melvin Sam

Manager, Energy & Utilities

West Monroe Partners

Utility Member

Randall Watkins

Telecommunications Staff Specialist

Southern Company

Vendor Member

Thomas Magee

Partner

Keller and Heckman, LLP

Industry Partner

Tim Godfrey

Sr. Technical Executive

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

Utility Member

Tony Suppa

Project Manager

Public Service Enterprise Group

Description

This summit will focus on issues related to spectrum availability and access to utility infrastructure including fiber leasing, supply chain and RF safety.  Topics being considered include:  the current state of spectrum opportunities and spectrum issues; preliminary results of UTC’s fiber leasing survey; use case presentations; grounding; tower safety; RF safety; small cell design; and updated NESC (National Electrical Safety Code) for small cells.

6 GHz and Spectrum Sharing:  Where Do We Go From Here?  

Abstract:  As utilities contend with potential interference from the advent of unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band, one possible solution may be to relocate to other spectrum bands with similar propagation characteristics.  One option may be to share federal spectrum in the 7125-8500 MHz band.  This session will describe the technical issues for utilities and engage with policymakers to discuss how utilities may be able to share federal spectrum. 

Speakers:

Brett Kilbourne, UTC

Tim Godfrey, Electric Power Research Institute

Randall Watkins, Southern Company 

David Hattey, Lockard & White 

Brad Nelson, Idaho National Laboratory

Supply Chain and Its Impact on Wireless Collocation/Fiber Leasing

Abstract:  The COVID pandemic has created supply chain issues both in terms of equipment availability and labor shortages.   What impact does this have on utilities as they provide wireless collocation and fiber leasing on a wholesale basis?  How are utilities addressing this challenge strategically?  What legislation is under consideration to address the impacts from supply chain shortages?  This session will discuss the issues and provide solutions for utilities as they face supply chain issues affecting their wireless collocation and fiber leasing businesses.

Speakers: 

John Werner, Thayer

Kristie Goodson

Small Cells – Safety & Signage

Abstract:  Growth in small cells is exploding and that means challenges for utilities when it comes to compliance with RF exposure to protect worker safety.  This session will review the guidelines including recent changes by the FCC, and it will describe practical solutions that utilities have developed in the field.

Speakers: 

Tom Magee

Tony Suppa

Fiber Leasing Survey

Abstract: UTC’s UtiliSite Committee and UTC’s Telecom Committee have conducted a survey of utilities and developed a report on the findings regarding utility fiber leasing.  This session will review the results and report the preliminary findings from the survey.

Speakers:

Brett Kilbourne

Melvin Sam, West Monroe Partners 

Dan Zimmerman, West Monroe Partners