AT&T Proposes Smart Grid Solution for Electric Utilities
AT&T filed a petition at the FCC outlining a smart grid solution that can be deployed in the unpaired C and D blocks of the Wireless Communications Service band, said Joan Marsh, AT&T vice president-federal regulatory, Wednesday in a blog…
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post. The WCS spectrum presents challenges, especially the need to protect adjacent Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service and Aeronautical Mobile Telemetry users from harmful interference, Marsh wrote. “Notwithstanding these challenges, AT&T remains on pace to deploy mobile and fixed broadband services to satisfy the FCC’s performance requirements for the paired WCS A and B Blocks,” she said. “Finding a noninterfering use for the C and D Blocks, however, has proven more daunting, even with the cooperation of our spectrum neighbors.” AT&T partnered with Nokia to “design and develop a private, highly secure, high-capacity LTE network solution for smart grids -- and related smart cities applications” using the spectrum, she said. “AT&T and Nokia recently began to present this solution to utilities companies across the country and the proposal has garnered significant interest and the support of UTC,” the Utilities Telecom Council, she said. The problem is AT&T won't be able to deploy the solution quickly and broadly enough to meet the build-out requirements for the WCS spectrum, Marsh said. AT&T is requesting a waiver or modification of the deadline, she said. “AT&T’s proposal addresses a longstanding national priority, ensures users of adjacent spectrum are protected from harmful interference, and offers the best near-term prospect for making productive use of the C and D Blocks,” Marsh said.