Last week the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) supported the FCC proposal to provide a specific spectrum for mission critical communications and urged them not to include commercial mission critical communications service providers, which could lead to congestion or interference in the band.

UTC also supported the decision to combine the 3.5 GHz and 3.65 GHz bands, leading to the creation of a 150 MHz juxtaposed spectrum, offering additional capacity and allowing for coordination of real-time operations within a regulatory framework, preventing interference, relying on a Spectrum Access System.

“The 3.5 GHz band can be used effectively to support various utility communications needs, such as grid modernization and emergency response in the aftermath of hurricanes, storms and other disasters when utilities work with public safety and restore service,” said UTC’s Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs & Deputy General Council, Brett Killbourne. “As such, UTC applauds the Commission for its initiative in proposing in the 3.5 GHz rulemaking to establish a Priority Access tier for utilities’ and other mission critical communications.”