Federal Regulators Must Ensure Radio Spectrum Availability for Public Service Agencies

Strategic Insights -

Federal regulators must work to ensure radio spectrum availability for public service agencies, such as police departments and utilities, according to the Utilities Telecommunications Council (UTC), a trade organization representing over 2,000 electric, gas, and water utilities and natural gas pipelines. Despite authorizing spectrum auctions for commercial applications, Congress directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make spectrum available for noncommercial services. UTC is urging regulators to uphold congressional directives by promptly initiating random selection procedures for licenses that will ensure public service entities have priority access to channels.

Key Takeaways:

  • UTC, a trade organization representing over 2,000 utilities and pipelines, is urging regulators to ensure radio spectrum availability for public service agencies.
  • Congress directed the FCC to make spectrum available for noncommercial services, despite authorizing spectrum auctions for commercial applications.
  • UTC and the Utility Cooperative Communications Service (UCCS) have sent letters to FCC Chairman Reed Hundt urging regulators to uphold congressional directives.
  • Public service entities, including police and fire departments, utilities, and natural gas pipelines, have been awaiting FCC approval for their applications filed nearly three years ago.
  • The 932/941 MHz and 220 MHz licenses will be used for crew dispatch, remote monitoring, and control of electric utility substations and remote natural gas pumping sites.
  • UTC is urging members of Congress to support the continued availability of radio spectrum on a random selection basis for public safety and public service agencies.
  • Approximately 2,000 utilities and pipelines are members of UTC.

Statistics:

  • Over 2,000 electric, gas, and water utilities and natural gas pipelines are represented by UTC.
  • Public service entities have been awaiting FCC approval for their applications filed nearly three years ago.
  • The 932/941 MHz and 220 MHz licenses will be used for crew dispatch, remote monitoring, and control of electric utility substations and remote natural gas pumping sites.

Sources:

  • WTO Information Services (WTO), "UTC Urges Regulators to Uphold Congressional Directives"
  • Utilities Telecommunications Council (UTC), Public Service Agencies Need Spectrum Availability
  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Random Selection Procedures for Licenses