Treat Your Voice & Data Traffic as First Responders do – by using the 700 MHz Spectrum from Arcadian Networks

We can all agree that the foundation of the Smart Grid is two way, high speed communications. As the Smart Grid grows, with digital devices (meters, relays, switches, routers, circuits) sending out more and more data, what will your communications pathway look like? Many utilities are already using unlicensed wireless spectrum (900 MHZ, 2.4 and 5.8 GHz.) The combination of utility communications with other user traffic will only clog the airways further. Unlicensed spectrum could be the Achilles heel of your communication backbone. Interference may end up threatening your SCADA and other essential communications.

You may want to consider using the same spectrum used by first responders – 700 MHz. Arcadian Networks offers a communications solution unique to the industry that could resolve your communications traffic jam at a reasonable cost.

Meters and SCADA at risk

Jill M. Lyon, Vice President and General Counsel at UTC warns that over 60M meters are using the 902-928 MHZ wireless spectrum, which is unlicensed. (Utilities Telecom Council representing critical infrastructure entities, especially utilities, on telecom and IT issues.) This spectrum has five different types of users, including the Federal Government and those meters using the unlicensed portion have no priority. Many SCADA systems were built on private wireless spectrum that now give voice priority over fixed data, such as transmitted by SCADA systems. The near real time response needs for SCADA and other monitoring and control systems is at risk when using unlicensed spectrum.

Jill tells SGN that the real problem is that utilities have no dedicated spectrum. Without dedicated spectrum, vendors build to unlicensed public spectrum and utilities cobble together private and public spectrum. This hodgepodge of communications pathways puts utilities at risk. Not only are the different communications choices making internal communications difficult, utilities are being forced to share spectrum with other users who may have priority. This puts utilities’ goal of reliable power at risk. Given that the Smart Grid is based upon high speed, two-way communication, the Smart Grid is also at risk.

Alternatives to unlicensed spectrum

There are alternatives to unlicensed spectrum. We have discussed in SGN, PLC, BPL and even patented technology from PCN Technology for your backhaul communications. But what do you do for the last mile? In some situations these other technologies may work. On the other hand, if these alternatives do not work for you, then another option is licensed spectrum. But securing licensed spectrum is difficult. Licensed spectrum needs to be contiguous to be effective. Arcadian Networks’ license for 700 MHz spectrum covers approximately 30 contiguous states (except for southern California, the spectrum is not available on the east and west coast.)

700 MHz from Arcadian Networks

700 MHz spectrum, a former television frequency, can carry between 20-25 miles without relays and requires less power to carry the signal (approximately 1250 sq miles per base station.) Generally, it is better able to penetrate vegetation and travel over hilly terrain than higher frequencies. It has clear technical advantages over unlicensed 900 MHz band frequencies that result in lower deployment costs. Since it is managed, not subject to interference (like the 900 MHz band is from other 900 MHz band frequencies) and travels further, it has potentially greater reliability at a lower cost.

Those offering 900 MHz licensed spectrum (primarily public wireless carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, etc...) argue that the cost of the spectrum is amortized over many users and thus overall less expensive. If your utility is in an urban environment, you will find many 900 MHz choices. These choices result in lower operating cost. These choices also invite more users and a greater opportunity for interference.

Any utility, no matter where it is located, is concerned about protecting its SCADA, monitoring and control systems. 700 MHz is a serious option for these applications. A utility in a suburban or rural environment may not have as many unlicensed spectrum choices and depending upon the geographical reach may need to build additional towers. These utilities are probably also well served by considering 700 MHz licensed spectrum.

GRE chose 700 MHz licensed spectrum from Arcadian Networks

Great River Energy (GRE) chose 700 MHz licensed spectrum from Arcadian Networks. GRE serves the generation and transmission needs for 28 distribution cooperatives and 600,000 homes and businesses in Minnesota and Wisconsin. 4,500 miles of transmission line are spread out over 56,000 sq miles. There are another 85,000 miles of distribution line and about seven customers a mile.

Jim Jones, the CIO of GRE admitted that GRE previously had a hodgepodge of communications platforms and infrastructure developed over many decades of making what seemed to be the right choice at the time. GRE was not looking for a single platform, but certainly fewer than it had. GRE had to make two decisions - what technology platform and whether to build or buy. After reviewing all the options and considering the geographically dispersed nature of their service area, they decided on the 700 MHz spectrum. The lower cost and greater reach of 700 MHz made it very attractive.

Jim was very happy that GRE chose to license a complete service from Arcadian Networks and not build the platform itself. Contracting for communications as a service placed all financial and technical risk on Arcadian Networks, both during deployment and later when the system is operational. The ten-year service contract was not too long and allowed GRE to revisit its decision with a reasonable period. Technically, Jim said GRE did not have the expertise to deal with all the RF issues that arose. He complimented Arcadian Networks on its technical competency and doggedness. After 20 months into a 24-month deployment, GRE is quite pleased with its choice. He is looking forward to smart meter rollouts, which could not happen unless GRE had deployed a two way, high-speed communications platform to its substations.

Joe Zarb the Vice President of Marketing for Arcadian Networks told SGN that the build-out of the 700 MHZ infrastructure in the GRE territory could also be used by GRE’s distribution customers, several of whom were about to sign contracts. It could also be used by first responders.

Joe related that the Arcadian Network solution generally gave its customers a 2 -3 year payback with 150% to 450% return on investment over the life of project. He also related that there were many different business/financial models. The customer could just buy the equipment or at the other extreme, have Arcadian Networks provide everything with a service level agreement. Arcadian Networks can manage the data without seeing it and is also more than willing to have customer manage the network (‘turnkey.’) All these choices give utilities many cost and service options.

Email Joe Zarb at Arcadian Networks

Email Jill M. Lyon at UTC

Utilities Telecom Council web site

Arcadian Network web site