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UTC Alert - July 1, 2008

News bulletin for and about the members of the Utilities Telecom Council - The Telecommunications and Information Technology Association for Utility, Energy, and Other Critical Infrastructure Companies
  Monthly news bulletin for and about the members of the UTILITIES TELECOM COUNCIL- The Telecommunications and Information Technology Association for Utility, Energy, and Other Critical Infrastructure Companies
July 1, 2008   Volume 6 Issue 7    ©2008 Utilities Telecom Council


UTC Launches Smart Networks Council

UTC is pleased to announce the creation of the Smart Networks Council as a home where different people at UTC member entities - those who are managing AMI and distribution automation applications for you - can access and take advantage of the many resources available from UTC. The UTC Board of Directors has charged the Smart Networks Council to begin addressing three initial priorities:
  • Help those responsible for advanced metering and distribution automation initiatives select the best systems now and/or maximize their investments in existing AMI/DA systems;
  • Support UTC members' state and federal regulatory activities to ensure the most favorable regulations for utilities deploying AMI/DA applications;
  • Drive interoperability of AMI, DA technologies by coordinating standards activities of UTC member utilities and their technology partners.
We are seeking volunteers to serve on the Smart Network Council's new Board of Directors and several Committees that will work on pressing state and federal policy issues, technical interoperability issues, and new research and educational programming.

All UTC members are eligible to participate in the Smart Networks Council as a benefit of their membership. The Smart Networks Council Board of Directors will be appointed shortly by the UTC Executive Committee from member volunteers. It will include representatives from both core utility and associate members. Ultimately, it will determine how future Smart Networks Council Boards are selected. Please visit UTC's Smart Networks Council Web site at www.smartnetworkscouncil.org for more information, to volunteer for activities, or just to receive future updates on how UTC's Smart Networks Council is helping our members drive their transformation into next-generation utilities.


UTC Journal Readership Survey

If you read the UTC Journal, we are looking for your help! Please take 5 minutes to fill in this advertiser's survey to help us plan for the upcoming editions of the UTC Journal. Your help ensures that the content of upcoming issues matches your interests. Please go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=vpAJIeZU_2bBtCSPAWb4sOkw_3d_3d complete the survey. Thanks in advance for your help.

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Join Linked In

Are you a member of Linked In? If so, the Utilities Telecom Council now has a group available as MEMBER BENEFIT. You can request to join by clicking on this link: http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/120871/63A561496E8D. You must be a current member to be approved for the group. If you have any problems or questions, contact marketing@utc.org.


Get Ready to Renew Your UTC Membership

UTC is launching our 2008-2009 membership renewal process on July 15th. Watch your inbox for more information as the renewal portal goes live. We hope you will all consider renewing before membership expires on September 30, 2008. For the upcoming membership year, we have many new exciting programs getting ready to launch. Just a few of the key member benefits to UTC are listed below:
  • Complimentary on-going access to UTC's legal and regulatory team for all your questions
  • Weekly Email Newsletter, UTC Industry Intelligence, providing updates on the telecom and IT issues effecting critical infrastructure
  • Industry Advocacy on issues that range from pole attachment, to dedicated spectrum, to NERC security and more
  • Access to Executive Summaries of all UTC Research Reports
  • Participation in the Smart Networks Council - UTC's newest independent operating unit dedicated to Smart Networks/Smart Grid intelligence
  • Online access to the UTC member directory
  • Networking and leadership opportunities on Divisions and Committees dealing in specialized niche areas
  • Discounts to UTC education events
Members are the ESSENTIAL element of UTC so if you have any membership related questions, suggestions or improvements we'd love to hear them. Please send an email to Kristy Weinshel, Director of Membership, at kristy.weinshel@utc.org or call 202.833.6815.


Industry Partners Should Plan Now to Exhibit or Sponsor a UTC Event

As many of our industry partners go into the budget planning cycle, we want to encourage you to start planning your involvement in UTC's regional meetings for 2008 and 2009 as well as exhibit and sponsorship opportunities at UTC EXPO 2009. For more information on UTC EXPO 2009, go here. UTC offers opportunities at every price point and can work with you to customize a package that fits your specific needs. Interested? Contact Cheryl Stratos, UTC Sales at cheryl.stratos@utc.org or call 703.212.4960. Don't wait until it's too late, since the exhibit space or sponsorship that you want could get sold.


FCC Licenses? Let UTC Spectrum Services Help

UTC Spectrum Services has launched a new service, Wireless Regulatory Asset Protection "WRAP" services that can help you manage your FCC license. Our experts provide personalized services that are like having an FCC expert right in your office. We understand the FCC rules and because it's our job every day, can ensure you do not miss any important updates or filing dates. With time and staffing stretched at every organization, UTC's WRAP services offers and affordable and reliable alternative to managing your own FCC licenses. Contact us today at spectrumservices@utc.org for more information.


UTC Research Update

No Summer Slowdown at UTC! We're working on projects to help you make tough decisions in the months ahead.

Upcoming UTC Research Includes:

Smart Grids: Building a Strategic and Technology Roadmap
This report, produced in conjunction with KEMA, Inc., goes beyond the surface level of the hype of "the smart grid." You know that communications and information technologies are central to enabling system automation applications that will enable utilities to cut costs, maximize assets, and improve customer service and power reliability while helping reduce carbon emissions. But how do you take the real, and expensive, steps to integrate new technologies with older systems? Utility management needs perspective on which applications to roll out on what timeline, with which enabling communications and IT technologies. "Smart Grids: Building a Strategic and Technology Roadmap," will provide detailed and pragmatic perspective and guidance on this paramount issue for utility management. UTC Research is looking for final sponsors for this report before its release - don't lose this opportunity to help shape this study! For more information on the project, or to sponsor, email Aldo Morri, Director of Research.

Also coming soon:

Narrowbanding and Your Next Land Mobile Radio System
An overview of the business, technical and regulatory aspects of the upcoming FCC narrowbanding mandate. Your system has to change within the next five years: UTC has examined the spectrum, capabilities and equipment - even pricing - availabilities out there to help you look at your options. Will simply moving to 12.5 kHz do everything you and those you serve will need for the next several years? And if you want a specialized look at your utility's options, contact UTC's Research, Legal/Regulatory or Engineering Departments about our customized consulting work on LMR. UTC has unmatched expertise in this field, and a multi-layered approach that includes choices you probably haven't seen before.

Recent Past Reports Include:

Advanced Metering Infrastructure: Smart Metering Meets the Smart Grid
If you are looking at an AMI solution for your utility, this report can help you build a better business case to present to management, understand where AMI is headed in the future and examine how early implementations have worked thus far, using a variety of technologies. Interested?Interested? Feel free to read the Table of Contents and Executive Summary and then order the report here.

And there is much more - contact UTC Research at research@utc.org with any questions.


UtiliSite Council's Newest Benefits

The UtiliSite Council is launching several new benefits available only to members! First, members will gain access to a definitive study on the energy and water collocation business. This study will form the backbone of future best practice documentation and provides support for utility involvement in profitable collocation practices. Secondly, the UtiliSite Council is exhibiting at PCIA to jointly market utilities as a reliable source for collocation to wireless service providers. Finally, the UtiliSite Council is working on a map that illustrates member collocation opportunities that wireless carriers can access. These benefits, in addition to the networking and access opportunities really combine to make membership in UtiliSite Council a great deal. Join today by contacting membership@utc.org.

Thank you to everyone that helped make the UtiliSite Council survey a success. Join us in congratulating Ben Adams, the winner of the Apple iTouch for completing the survey!


2008 Canadian Utility Telecom Conference

You won't want to miss the only conference devoted to critical infrastructure telecom issues in Canada that is created by and for critical infrastructure and their technology partners! The conference will be held at the Fairmont Hotel, in Winnipeg, Manitoba and takes place September 8- 11, 2008. Keep in mind that one added benefit of UTC Canada membership is discount to this and other UTC Canada events. For more information on the 2008 Canadian Utility Telecom Conference, please click here.


Broadband Power Line 2008

UPLC's annual conference will be held September 10 - 12, 2008 at the Houston Marriott West Loop by the Galleria in Houston Texas. Join us as we present case studies, regulatory and legal updates and standards issues; as well as, discussions about the current state of Broadband over Power Line (BPL). Keep in mind that one added benefit of UPLC membership is discount to this and other events. Find out more information about the conference here.


2008 Joint Use & Pole Attachment Conference

This year the annual Joint Use & Pole Attachment Conference will be held at the Phoenix - Scottsdale Embassy Suites Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. Join us as we examine the significant changes in terms of the business, the technology and regulations that apply. You will have the chance to learn from experts and network with your peers to discover opportunities and overcome challenges that lie ahead. For more information go here.


Upcoming Regional Meetings

Several UTC regions have educational events planned for this fall. Regional meetings provide a great way for you to learn and network with other utilities in your same geographic area that are often facing the same issues as your utility. Many of these meetings also include exhibits and sponsorships from leading vendor partners, making this a great place to see some of the new products and services these companies are offering during networking breaks. Register today to ensure your spot at your regional conference is reserved. Email meetings@utc.org if you need more information.


Don't Miss UTC's July Webinar

UTC has an interesting Webinar planned for July, specifically June 9, 2008, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. EDT called Smart Grids Start with Smart Meters. The session presenter, Henry Jones, Chief Technology Officer, SmartSynch, Inc., will explore what smart meters need in order to deliver the best value, and examine how this major upgrade still can add to the bottom line. To register and find out more about the Webinar, click here.


Now Is The Time To Get Involved With UTC!

There are plenty of ways to get involved with UTC! UTC's Divisions and Committees provide a forum in which our members can network with their peers on specific issues that interest them. In 2008, the Divisions and Committees have a wide variety of issues they are working on and are looking for volunteers for as little or as much time as you have available to help. If you are interested in volunteering for a Division or Committee or finding out more about their initiatives, please contact Karnel Thomas, VP-Member Services, at 202.833.6816 or karnel.thomas@utc.org.


Upcoming Events

September 2008
8-11 2008 Canadian Utility Telecom Conference
The Fairmont Hotel
Winnipeg, MB
10-12 Broadband Power Line 2008
Houston Marriott West Loop by the Galleria
Houston, TX
11-12 2008 Region 9 Technical Conference
Best Western Agate Beach
Newport, Oregon
18-19 2008 UTC Region 2 Meeting
Sheraton Atlantic City
Atlantic City, NJ
25-26 2008 UTC Region 1 Meeting
Crowne Plaza Nashua
Nashua, NH
October 2008
1-2 Region 3 Fall 2008 Meeting
Fredericksburg Hospitality House & Conference Center
Fredericksburg, VA
2 2008 UTC Region 8 Fall Technical Meeting
Hilton Salt Lake City Center
Salt Lake City, UT
16-17 2008 UTC Region 4 Meeting
Sheraton Lansing
Lansing, MI
27-28 2008 Joint Use Conference
Embassy Suites Hotel, Phoenix-Scottsdale
Phoenix, AZ
 
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