NRTC and UTC Make 220 MHz Spectrum More Widely Available to US Utilities
Licensed Spectrum for Wireless Applications Helps Utilities Meet FCC Requirements
For Immediate Release
DATE: June 9, 2009
Contact: Andrea Cumpston
Phone: 703-787-7156
E-mail:
acumpston@nrtc.coop
June 9, 2009 [Herndon, VA]—The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) and the
Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) have signed an agreement that makes 220 MHz spectrum for land
mobile radio voice and data systems available to all of the members and customers of UTC. Through
this agreement, NRTC and UTC will be able to meet the immediate spectrum needs of utilities across
the United States.
Utilities are relying ever more heavily on wireless spectrum, both to expand existing radio
systems and to provide capacity for future technology deployments. Because of reliability and
control requirements, most of the need must be met through utility-built-and-operated systems. One
piece of this solution is access to reliable, licensed 220 MHz spectrum.
UTC President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Moroney commented that “This agreement allows UTC to work with our utility members and contacts to help them meet their most immediate spectrum needs or to make voice and data systems ‘narrowbanding-proof.’ As utilities gear up for next-generation communication systems, reliable access to spectrum becomes even more critical.”
The Federal Communications Commission has ordered that by 2013, voice radio equipment on some private land mobile frequency bands must be operating on 12.5 kHz-spaced, or narrowband, voice channels. The mandate does not affect 220 MHz spectrum. NRTC owns eight 220 MHz channels nationwide that are 12.5 kHz spaced.
“With 220 MHz, utilities can meet the coming mandates, using reliable, interference-free spectrum,” said NRTC President and CEO Bob Phillips. “NRTC members know the value of this spectrum to their radio communications and making it part of their upgrades prior to 2013. With this agreement, more utilities will have access.”
About NRTC
The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) represents the advanced
telecommunications and information technology interests of nearly 1,500 rural utilities and
affiliates in 48 states. Founded in 1986, NRTC provides products and services developed
specifically to meet the needs of rural utilities and their customers, such as high-speed Internet
access via satellite, full-service Internet access and support, advanced metering infrastructure,
SmartSCADA, wireless technologies, power quality products, long distance programs, mobile phone
service, IP backbone services, direct broadcast satellite service (DBS) with DIRECTV and
programming for Internet protocol television (IPTV). For more information, visit
www.nrtc.coop.
About Utilities Telecom Council
The Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) is a global, full-service trade association dedicated to
creating a favorable business, regulatory, and technological environment for entities that own,
manage, or provide critical telecommunications systems in support of core services. Founded in
1948, UTC has evolved into a dynamic organization that represents the broad communications
interests of electric, gas, and water utilities; natural gas pipelines; other critical
infrastructure entities and other industry stakeholders. Visit
www.utc.org for more information on UTC and its services.
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