JRC Publications
This is a list of the latest JRC Public Documents.
JRC Response to Ofcom Draft Annual Plan 2019/20
JRC highlights that communication networks are dependent on access to resilient and robust electricity supplies. Also, with the evolving Smart Grid, that the existing intelligent electricity monitoring and control systems are being expanded to the extremes of the electricity network. This expansion in the operational communications needs of the energy utilities will require access to additional spectrum. This developing need is being explored within Ofcom’s current direct engagement with the Energy Utilities which we welcome. To this end we encourage Ofcom to establish a specific work item to further this Industry need. This may be pursued under the heading of ‘Managing spectrum and planning for future requirements’ within the Annual Plan. It is worth noting the ongoing developments within the Republic of Ireland where the Communications Regulator (ComReg) has acknowledged the need for additional spectrum to be made available to facilitate Smart Grid developments and in so doing is proposing to afford access to 2 x 3 MHz of spectrum in the 400 MHz range for the Irish utilities.
ENA Strategic Telecommunications Group, ‘Need for Increased Spectrum Allocation and Investment in Operational Telecommunications to Support Electricity Networks,’ 2018
• ENA Strategic Telecommunications Group, ‘Need for Increased Spectrum Allocation and Investment in Operational Telecommunications to Support Electricity Networks,’ 2018
JRC Smart Grid Briefing Paper
JRC Smart Grid Briefing Paper
2007 UTC & JRC Utility Satellite Technology Study
• JRC-UTC Report “Utility Use of Satellite Technology in Emergency Response
ComReg Further Consultation on the Release of the 410 – 415.5 / 420 – 425.5 MHz Sub-band
JRC supports the actions of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) for the proposed release of the radio spectrum noted and in particular the recommendation to assign 2 x 3 MHz of the band on a service specific basis to enable ‘Smart Grid’ activities in Ireland.
JRC encourages ComReg to adopt an open approach to the operating mode that can be used and in so doing permit both TDD and FDD to be deployed in the band and in so doing allow the entity that wins the spectrum to deploy it in whichever mode best serves their operational requirements.
The roll-out obligations proposed for the Part A lot require further consideration as they appear to be reflective of a typical mobile network roll-out where coverage drives revenue. The drivers behind the deployment of Smart Grid capability will be to establish enhanced asset utilisation, minimise customer outages, allow distributed generation to be connected quicker and increase availability.
ENA Future Worlds Consultation - JRC Response
JRC welcomes the emphasis on Communications Systems Capability as a ‘Key Enabler’ for the ‘Future Worlds.’ It is worth noting that a key input on which operational telecommunications systems depend is radio spectrum. To this end and as part of the ‘Future Worlds’ analysis we encourage ENA and Government to explore the Operational Telecommunications (OT) needs of the Industry and in so doing seek to understand how to best serve these needs through access to both fixed and wireless networks.
There is likely to be a tension between the Economic, Commercial and Financial case. Perhaps the Financial Case could be considered sub-ordinate to the Economic and Commercial cases, since it is likely that Funding issues will be addressed for those Future Worlds that satisfy both the Economic and Commercial criteria.
Ofcom WRC 2019 Preparations - JRC Response
The JRC requests that the UK 26 GHz position be revised to align with the RSPG opinion (RSPG18-005 FINAL).
M2M and IoT appear to have become generic terms for most types of data transmission systems. The term Resilient Machine to Machine (RM2M) is becoming increasingly used to distinguish when an M2M system includes the necessary enhanced resilience.
JRC is concerned that, without sufficient restrictions, non-GSO systems operating within the 460 to 470 MHz band could cause harmful interference to the UK's electricity and gas grid monitoring and control systems.
JRC proposes the introduction of 'Utility Operations' as an ITU defined service in the same way as Public Safety and Disaster Relief (PPDR) and Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) are identified as distinct services requiring special recognition.
JRC response to ComReg proposed Strategy for Managing the Radio Spectrum - 2019 to 2021
It is important that ComReg does not overlook the importance of spectrum access for uses other than mobile data access. To this end we are encouraged by the initiative to enable access to the spectrum in the range 410-415.5 & 420-425.5 MHz which has the potential to support ‘Smart Grid’ developments in Ireland and be critical to helping the Irish Government deliver upon key environmental targets agreed with the International Community.
Proposed Multi Band Spectrum Award (ComReg Consultation - Ref 18/60)
JRC supports the actions of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) for the proposed release of the radio spectrum noted and the establishment of a combined award of the bands identified to ensure that complementary bands are made available at the same time.
JRC supports ComReg’s proposal to exclude the following frequencies from the multi-band award process;
• 700 MHz Duplex Gap & Guard Band;
• 1.4 GHz Band, both Centre and Extension Bands; and
• 26 GHz Band.
The potential characteristics of use of these bands are different to those considered relevant to the multi-band award and therefore should be treated separately.