WCAI 4G Caucus Kicks Off with Discussions on Spectrum, AT&T/T-Mobile Merger, 4G Migration Strategies

Gerry Salemme, Partner at Eagle River, kicked off the WCAI 4G Caucus this morning with a fireside chat keynote led by WCAI President Fred Campbell. In a lively discussion of the future of mobile technologies Mr. Salemme spoke about the growing data demand and spectrum issues, the AT&T/T-Mobile merger and the chances of its approval, the gaining momentum of LTE and its potential impact on Clearwire and regional players in the 2.5 GHz band, as well as the economy and the availability of investment capital affecting 4G network deployment in the U.S. Mr. Salemme, who is an advisor to the Clearwire CEO on business and spectrum strategy, also clarified the relationship between Clearwire and Sprint, saying that it’s “more cooperative than people expect.”

The opening keynote was followed by a panel on 4G network migration strategies led by one of the most distinguished industry analysts Berge Ayvazian of Heavy Reading. During the panel, experts from Sprint, AT&T, FiberTower and Tessco discussed their views on the transition from 3G to 4G networks, key challenges of the migration the industry faces, and how policy management solutions can help manage the transition.

Still ahead is the day packed with lively discussions and networking opportunities. Iyad Tarazi, Vice President, Network Development and Engineering at Sprint, will speak about how Sprint’s Network Vision is expected to consolidate multiple network technologies into one, seamless network. Following his keynote presentation, Mr. Campbell of WCAI will lead the discussion on adapting regulations to the new realities of 4G technologies. The panel will feature FCC Wireless Bureau Chief Ruth Milkman, along with regulatory experts from AT&T, Sprint, Clearwire and Wilkinson Barket Knauer.

Other program highlights include a keynote from Sybase an SAP Company on real-time actionable intelligence strategies for 4G operators; a keynote from Alvarion on building 4G smart grid, as well as panel discussions on broadband spectrum options for smart grid applications and on fixed wireless innovations.

Wrapping up the first day of the event will be the popular WCAI Networking Dinner at Ruth’s Chris, one of the best steak houses in town.

So if you are not already here, come join us for the exciting day of discussions and networking!

Importance of 3.65 GHz Frequency Band for Smart Grid Market

By Ashish Sharma, VP, Corporate Communications, Alvarion Ltd.

As the utilities look to build their future smart grid networks, it is imperative that they consider solutions that are reliable, secure, scalable and easy to integrate with the flexibility of addressing multiple types of services for efficient operations. WiMAX technology allows utilities to wirelessly create a future proof broadband communications infrastructure that can bring great efficiencies to a traditionally fragmented energy distribution system. Based on an all-IP architecture with a robust OFDMA radio interface, WiMAX technology supports multiple types of applications on a unified platform.

Access to the right frequencies plays a major role in building secure wireless networks. The quasi-licensed 3.65 GHz band in the U.S. provides a good alternative for utilities to build their own private WiMAX networks for smart grid communications. With the exception of a few places in the country, this frequency remains largely unused and has the potential to provide a good footprint. FCC adopted a structured entry approach by employing a non-exclusive licensing scheme for this band. This approach has allowed the licensees low entry costs, avoiding long regulatory delays.

There are two challenges that need to be taken in account when deploying a 3.65GHz solution:

• Exclusion zones, where 3.65GHz is not allowed due to earth stations
• Migration path to a licensed 2.3/2.5 GHz WiMAX frequency if desired at some point in the future

Alvarion-optimized smart grid connectivity solutions addresses both challenges:

• A WiMAX 802.16e solution in license exempt (5.4/5.8 GHz) frequency, overcoming the limitation of the exclusion zones
• A unified solution that addresses both 3.65GHz and 2.3/2.5GHz frequencies that allows expanding a 3.65 GHz fequency network into a licensed 2.3/2.5 GHz fequency network using the same product

Alvarion offers the latest 802.16e WiMAX solutions for this frequency band in a variety of configurations including an all outdoor base station that provides cost effective rollout over large distances. Alvarion’s experience in designing all-IP wireless broadband networks will bring much-needed expertise to utilities striving to integrate managed energy utilization, lower greenhouse gas emissions and innovative on-the-go applications.

Alvarion’s open WiMAX network architecture based on end-to-end all-IP solution allows for great flexibility to integrate other smart grid solutions such as meters, distribution automation devices, collectors, etc. The network built on this architecture has the ability to enable other applications such as mobile workforce, video surveillance, home area network and communications for substation automation. Alvarion’s solution provides a holistic 4G infrastructure that provides the real-time, QoS, broadband and mobility requirements for current and future smart grid applications. These solutions are available in both licensed and license-exempt frequencies with high link reliability and availability.

Though getting access to private spectrum remains the best choice for utilities, the 3.65 GHz frequency band allows for a good near term option that can help them build an IP-based WiMAX network with a relatively lower cost when compared to other technologies that exist in the market today.

National Broadband Plan, Chapter 12: How do we get utilities into the spectrum business?

By Clyde Ensslin, Advisor to greentech startup People Power Co
clyde.ensslin@peoplepowerco.com

I went over to the Federal Communications Commission this morning for the official release of the National Broadband Plan that FCC has been working on since last year. Various pieces of the Plan have been disclosed over the past few days so I knew that it was going to address the Smart Energy Grid and I wanted to learn more about the details related to that. For the past year I’ve been advising a Palo Alto, California-based greentech startup called People Power, so I am familiar with the work NIST is doing to approve interoperative standards for smart grid equipment.

When I got to the Commission I was directed to an overflow room because the meeting room was packed. There was a very nice, large, high definition flat-screen TV in the overflow room and I saw presentations by the staff and heard statements by the Commissioners. I learned that Congress had asked the Commission, in the statute that spelled out what should be in the Plan, for recommendations that would not only lead to broadband access for more Americans, but also would help reach National Purposes including energy independence and energy efficiency.

I knew that energy efficiency among consumers was the Plan’s Long-Term Goal #6 because that was in the Executive Summary that had been posted yesterday to the FCC Website. That goal states that all Americans should be able to use broadband to track and manage their energy consumption. The remaining parts of the Plan addressing the Smart Energy Grid were in Chapter 12, which was so interesting that I printed up all 15 pages.

Essentially, Chapter 12 is full of ideas about how to get utilities to interact with their customers via broadband. Idea number one is for utilities to give their consumers something valuable that they don’t get today that can only be delivered by broadband. That would be real-time usage data, based in kilowatts and in dollars, which is obviously hugely valuable, but it’s also data that 99 percent of all utility customers have never seen. This requirement would mean that utilities would need to provide the same information that they now mail out once a month, only more frequently, like every five minutes.

What motivation would the utilities have to start doing this within the next 18 months? Well, maybe if their state regulators asked them to do it. That’s what the Plan suggests. It’s not too big a stretch in states like California, where the state legislature has already mandated access for consumers to that data. And if the state regulators don’t get the job done, FCC will ask Congress to legislate that solution. The logic is, and this makes perfect sense, if utilities give this data to their customers, the customers will appreciate it so much that they will do their part and acquire the devices they need to interact with their utility. For startups like People Power, that is great news. It will mean that innovation is rewarded by investment dollars and potential partnerships.

Other ideas in the Plan have a variety of other ways for the utilities to get in the broadband business, including: empowering them to manage their own private broadband networks, either by using commercial networks, by sharing public safety mobile spectrum, or maybe with spectrum leased from, or bought at auction from…who? Maybe broadcasters? That’s in another chapter. I didn’t get to that part.