Program: 2010 Utility Telecom Forum (Region 8, 9, 10 Meeting)

Today’s utility communications infrastructure that connects substations to control centers consists of a variety of legacy facilities – leased lines, wireless and dial-up. Devices in substations are connected to communications servers with proprietary interfaces. The result is high cost and complexity and low flexibility and reliability. Driven by external and internal forces, the business of utilities is changing. This session will arm you with the knowledge you need to meet these challenges, gain an understanding of the drivers of change, explore new technologies and standards to help you manage change, discover how to gracefully deploy new, scalable telecom devices and protocols while maintaining and integrating your legacy gear.

Dean Campbell, Chief Technology Officer, LightRiver Technologies, Inc. Presentation
Mike Ososke, Senior Director of Optical Solutions, LightRiver Technologies, Inc. Presentation
Aaron Havrilla, Director, Data Products and Solutions, LightRiver Technologies, Inc. Presentation

Learn about major manufacturers product plans to meet your unique needs including certifications, interfaces and protocols. Get in-depth technical discussions on how different technologies and products can prepare you for the future of communications in utility networks.

Dean Campbell, Chief Technology Officer, LightRiver Technologies, Inc.
Mike Ososke, Senior Director of Optical Solutions, LightRiver Technologies, Inc. Presentation
Aaron Havrilla, Director, Data Products and Solutions, LightRiver Technologies, Inc. Presentation

This session introduces Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) as a key technology for delivery of IP services. It highlights the key benefits and applications, answers basic technical questions on functionality, and communicates the depth and breadth of MPLS solutions. The session provides an overview of MPLS applications such as virtual private networks (VPNs), traffic engineering, quality of service (QoS), operations administration and maintenance (OAM) and security aspects of each solution.

Carl Eshelman, Systems Engineer, Cisco Networks Presentation

Learn how and when to begin network transformation with IP/MPLS. The onset of increasing Ethernet transport demands on your TDM network requires action. This action will shape the future of your network as new user requirements are addressed and quality of service levels maintained. The session will touch on how utilities are trying to balance between the need for convergence and complicated compliance mandates and the approaches used by different utilities across North America.

Kamal Ballout, AVP, Vertical Sales Specialists & Technical Sales, Alcatel-Lucent Presentation

As utilities expand their transmission facilities, they open up opportunities to expand telecommunications infrastructure simultaneously. This session will discuss telecom programs to implement while building out your transmission line system. In addition to hearing from a leading vendor, this session will feature case studies from utilities to show off best practices.

Lee Onsager, Team Leader, Telecom Construction & Maintenance, NV Energy
David Hulinsky, Engineering Manager- Telecommunications, Black & Veatch
Joint Presentation

Meetings of UTCs Rocky Mountain (8), Northwest (9) and Southwest (10) Regions. Discussion will focus on individual regional issues.

*THESE MEETINGS ARE CLOSED TO INDIVIDUALS NOT CONSIDERED CORE MEMBERS OF UTC.

Region 8 includes the following states: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming

Region 9 includes the following states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington

Region 10 includes the following states: Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii and Nevada

This session will provide background on the use of the Internet Protocol (IP) suite to control a utility land mobile radio system, review the deployment at Central Lincoln PUD , and explore some of the possible “add-ons” that the deployment provides.

Ron Beck, Network Engineer, Central Lincoln PUD Presentation

Find out more about UTC directly from UTC’s leaders. This presentation gives you an insider’s look at the current state of the organization and future plans that directly impact members.

Jeff Katz, Enterprise IT Consultant, PSEG - PSEG Services Corporation Presentation

Every day, UTCs Legal/Regulatory team represents the telecom and IT interests of energy and water companies on a wide variety of issues. This year’s Legal/Regulatory Update will focus on spectrum issues, infrastructure issues and homeland security issues - UTCs main areas of focus. This presentation is a great opportunity to get an understanding of the issues being decided in Washington that affect your job and how the UTC legal/regulatory team is responding.

Mike Oldak, Vice President & General Counsel, Utilities Telecom Council Presentation

This session will provide an overview of the next generation open standard digital voice and data network (ETSI DMR – Digital Mobile Radio). The session will explore the features inherent in the technology that enable improved voice communications as well as mobile data applications. Attendees will be briefed on FCC rulings and the applicability of DMR to provide not only narrowband 12.5 KHz compliance and 6.25 KHz equivalency. A discussion of the pros and cons of DMR as an open standard will be included. The presentation will explore possible technology migration strategies that enable enterprises to scale their implementation to match budgets and operational needs while future proofing the investment.

William Fredrickson, Vice President- Global Utilities, Tait Radio Communications Presentation

Optical Wireless Broadband (OWB) a line of sight technology used to transmit light through the atmosphere that can help utilities maximize cost-effectiveness by leveraging existing infrastructure for low-cost expansion and last mile connectivity. OWB technology delivers unparalleled communications security, requires no RF licensing and is interference-free. It’s a high-bandwidth low-cost solution, with a small footprint that can have a big impact. This session will introduce you to how Optical Wireless Broadband works and present a utility case study on its use.

Anthony DeMaio, Director of Sales, SkyFiber
Wayne Walters, Director of Product Management, SkyFiber
Joint Presentation