Wireless Symposium

Sponsored By: 

For years, utilities have relied on private, ultra-reliable wireless communications networks to ensure the reliability and recoverability of their core energy and water systems. Maintaining this model requires a skilled labor force that understands how these systems operate and respond and can be upgraded to fit new smart technologies while still maintaining their core purpose – as well as obtaining access to the necessary spectrum to enable these systems. Exploring all utility options including spectrum sharing and relationships with carriers is critical to planning for the future. The goal of sessions in this symposia is to review the technical wireless issues and explore the legal and regulatory issues shaping wireless systems at utilities.

Complete Program

Relevant Wireless Sessions Include:

Saturday May 19, 2012

3:00  - 5:00 p.m.
Registration Open
Room: Gatlin Foyer

Sunday May 20, 2012

7:30 a.m.
8th Annual Past Chairman's Invitational Golf Tournament
Location: Shingle Creek Golf Course

8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Registration Open

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Tutorials

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Networking Lunch

1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Concurrent Tutorials

Monday, May 21, 2012

6:45 - 6:30 p.m.
Registration Open
Room: Gatlin Foyer

7:15 – 8:30 a.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions

Spectrum Inventory
Symposia: Wireless
Tracks: Technical, Management
Room: Butler
This session will provide a comprehensive accounting of what spectrum is available for utility use. It will delve into the restrictions of use of each spectrum band that is available, as well as the different constraints involved in each spectrum band. The session will also provide examples of how other utilities are using certain spectrum bands with success. This is a great session for future planning in order to understand the options available to you as of right now as well as what could be available moving forward.

Speaker: John Nachilly, Manager – Telecommunications Engineering, Northeast Utilities

Understand LTE Technology & How it Applies to Utilities
Symposia: Emerging Technologies, Wireless
Track: Technical
Room: Gatlin A2
As utilities consider the possibility of using 700 MHz public safety broadband networks, they should also understand LTE technology, which the FCC has adopted as the network standard. LTE offers broadband data rates with good propagation characteristics, and multiple priority access levels to ensure reliable communications. There are several differences in designing and owning a private LTE system compared to traditional two-way radio systems. This presentation will discuss the key features of LTE technology, share ideas on how sharing between public safety and utilities could work, discuss the security within an private LTE network, cover the types of devices expected in the market place and talk through the differences in designing and managing this type of network.

Speakers: Ashok Rudrapatna, Director, LTE Solutions End-to-End Network Architecture Group, Alcatel-Lecent
Paul Senior, Chief Technology Officer, Airspan
Ron Taylor, Senior Principal Engineer, Salt River Project

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast

9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
VSAT Technology Can Power the Smart Grid Communications Network
Symposia: Wireless
Track: Technical
Room: Butler
Satellite connectivity can be an important solution as utilities build out the Smart Grid. There are applications that extend satellite broadband connectivity to remote substations to support legacy SCADA; and emerging broadband applications like video surveillance, Voice over IP and data connectivity. Satellite connectivity can be leveraged to backhaul smart meter data from rural households scattered across thinly populated and geographically challenging locations. Plus, satellite networks can provide broadband backup connectivity for a utility company’s entire communications network. Join us as we examine the core applications for satellite and compare the cost and functionality of satellite technology to other communications alternatives.

Speakers: Christian Bergan, Director Vertical Marketing, iDirect
Gerbrand Schalkwijk, Vice President Enterprise Energy, Inmarsat

Grid Evolution and Your Aging Communications Infrastructure
Symposia: Smart Grid Deployment, Wireless
Track: Technical
Room: Gatlin A1
Do you have the proper communications systems infrastructure in place to support the evolution of the grid? This presentation will address the key challenges utilities are facing. We will share the opportunities for how utilities can build their "neural network" to support these coming grid changes. We will discuss drivers for communications systems, provide an overview of system architectures, pitfalls and methods of building reliable wireless networks, as well as describe licensed and license-free spectrum options. This presentation will also provide the steps for utilities to take as they evaluate implementing their communications infrastructure.

Speakers: Tom Janca, CEO and Founder, Utility Ethernet Forum
Ken Monro, Vice President – Communication Systems, S&C
Richard Spangler, Consulting Engineer, Duke Energy

Utilizing White Spaces for Utilities Communications' Infrastructure
Symposia: Emerging Technologies, Control Systems, Wireless
Tracks: Management, Technical
Room: Gaitlin A2
Utilities are considering using TV white spaces technologies, which is an unlicensed operation that makes opportunistic use of available TV channels, that are allocated in 6 MHz blocks of spectrum. TV white spaces can provide ample broadband level bandwidth for AMI and DA backhaul. Coupled with excellent propagation characteristics, this spectrum has the potential to provide reliable backhaul communications for hard to reach locations on the utility system. What are the upside/downside relationships of the spectrum? Who controls TV white spaces operations in the spectrum? How can products be developed and designed to smartly and dynamically utilize the changing conditions of this spectrum? Hear the answers to these questions and more during this presentation.

Speakers: Jim Carlson, CEO/President, Carlson Wireless
Frank Folz, Managing Director of Smart Grid, Airspan
Mark Gibson, Director – Business Development, Comsearch

10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions

Interoperability from a Management Perspective
Symposia: Wireless, Smart Grid Deployment
Track: Management
Room: Butler
As utility grid modernization projects move from the design phase to implementation, interoperability of devices, especially wireless devices, is critical. This session addresses grid device interoperability and interchangeability from a management perspective, and focuses on key project management issues. Best practices and lessons learned will be presented by industry experts with experience in standards as well as implementations.

Speaker: Erich Gunther, Chairman & Chief Technical Officer, Enernex
Jay Herman, Sr. Project Engineer, Telecom Division, Black & Veatch

11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Networking Break

2:00 – 6:30 p.m.
UTC EXPO 2012 Open
Room: Gatlin CDE
Visit these great exhibitors!

6:30 –8:30 p.m.
UTC Gala
Room: Panzacola F-G
Party around the world with us as we host a fun networking event. The UTC Gala is a great way to network and meet with your peers and catch up from a full day of education and vendor exhibits. 

8:30 – 10:30 p.m.
After-Gala Chairman’s Cigar Party
Room: Butler Courtyard

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

6:45 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Registration Open
Room: Gatlin Foyer

7:00 – 8:00 a.m.
"Power Hour" Education Sessions

GOOSE Messaging over WiMax
Symposia: Wireless
Track: Technical
Room: Butler
North American Utilities BC Hydro and BC Power Authority, have performed extensive testing of GOOSE messaging over 1.8 GHz WIMAX. This session will highlight their experiences and discuss findings on how to achieve high speed detection, isolation and restoration of faults on distribution networks with WiMax communications. Additionally, presenters will discuss the specially developed logic onswitching sequences use as it applies to GOOSE messaging.

Speaker: Sol Lancashire, Telecom Architect, BC Hydro
Lee Lipes, Product Manager, RuggedCom

10:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.
UTC EXPO 2012 Open
Room: Gatlin CDE
Visit these great exhibitors!

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Networking Lunch in UTC EXPO 2012
Room: Gatlin CDE

2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions 

Navigating Secondary Markets
Symposia: Wireless
Track: Technical
Room: Butler
As utilities struggle to meet their increasing communications requirements from a variety of new and enhanced applications, they have turned to secondary markets as a source for spectrum. These secondary markets include geographic area licenses that were acquired at auction and offer the opportunity for increased capacity and coverage for utility wireless systems – but at a cost and with other potential strings attached. The FCC has developed rules to promote the development of secondary markets, including allowing partitioning and disaggregation of existing licenses to tailor them to the needs of potential buyers. Utilities should be aware of both the opportunities and the pitfalls associated with accessing spectrum through acquisition or lease, and must perform their due diligence as part of these transactions. This session will discuss what options are available and how to make sure this is a purchase that works for your utility for the long term.

Speaker: Greg Kunkle, Partner, Keller & Heckman

3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Networking Break

3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Concurrent Educational Sessions

Staying out of Trouble With the FCC and OSHA
Symposia: Wireless
Tracks: Legal, Technical
Room: Butler
Applicants, licensees and antenna structure owners must comply with hundreds of FCC regulations and federal statutes to avoid penalties, fines and forfeitures. The session will cover a range of compliance issues, including frequency coordination, licensing requirements and compliance headaches. It will also address antenna and tower registration issues. This session will review RF safety issues and rules, including a discussion on the signage and training needed to comply with FCC and OSHA rules on RF emissions. Since all of these issues involve government rules and regulations that MUST be adhered to, it is important that you are familiar with all of the FCC, FAA and OSHA requirements that are involved. This session provides the refresher course you need to stay in compliance.

Speaker: Jeff Katz, Enterprise IT Consultant, PSEG Services Corporation

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Focus on 700 MHz Public Safety Broadband Network – Legal, Technical and Practical Implications for Sharing
Tracks: Technical, Management, Legal
Room: Gatlin A3
Utilities can share the 700 MHz Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN), thanks to Title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (PL 112-96) which became law on February 21, 2012. Potentially, utilities could access up to 20 MHz of spectrum on a shared basis, which would help them meet their increasing communications needs for wide-area, high capacity voice and data. During this informative and interactive session, UTC experts will provide an outline of the opportunities available,the challenges associated with those opportunities, and the best strategies for utilities to ensure that the network will meet their communications needs.

Speakers: Brett Kilbourne, Vice President, Government and Industry Affairs and Deputy General Counsel, UTC
Prudence Parks, Director, Government Affairs and Legislative Counsel, UTC

6:30 – 7:00 p.m.
UTC Awards Dinner Reception
Room: Panzacola East Foyer

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
UTC Awards Dinner
Room: Panzacola F
The UTC Awards Dinner celebrates the achievements of individuals and utilities involved in UTC and the industry. Come join us for a semi-formal sit-down dinner as we honor individuals for Chairman’s Awards, the Dondanville Award the Meehan Award, as well as the UTC Apex Award presentation. It's a great night to celebrate!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

7:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Registration Open
Room: Gatlin Foyer

8:00 a.m.
UTC Fiber Optic Professional Certification & Training

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Innovation in Practice - UTC Annual Membership Meeting & Breakfast
Room: Gatlin B
As part of UTC's Annual Conference we hose a UTC Annual Membership Meeting where members are encourage to share their opinions, hear from their volunteer leaders and vote for next year's leadership.  If you are attending UTC TELECOM 2012 it is critical that you participate in this membership meeting.  Even if you aren't yet a member of UTC, you're invited to hear what UTC has planned for the upcoming year.

9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Committee Meetings

12:00 p.m.
UTC TELECOM 2012 Adjourns

12:00 p.m. - on
Post Conference User Group Meetings