DCMS Call for Views – Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review: Call for Evidence
Executive Summary
The Joint Radio Company (JRC) welcomes the opportunity to respond to this call for views and in particular we support the approach from Government to consider alternative market frameworks when seeking to establish the market for ‘future new digital infrastructure.’
Moreover, future Industrial Developments will be predicated on the establishment of next generation digital communications infrastructure that will enable initiatives such as ‘Smart Grid.’ Noting that ‘Smart Grid’ is central to establishing the UK’s ‘Low Carbon Economy’ then we encourage DCMS to ensure alignment between the Policy framework designed to facilitate the new digital communications infrastructure and broader Policy interventions across Government.
In addition, we see merit in considering the role that Industry Verticals, e.g. Energy, Automotive, Health and Care might have when establishing the market framework for ‘new digital infrastructure.’ Moreover, Industry Verticals may facilitate reach and capacity on a truly national basis that has to date not been economically rationale for existing licensed operators.
Finally, we encourage DCMS and Government more broadly to note that the availability of UK Communication Networks is dependent on access to resilient and robust electricity supplies which are subsequently predicated on secure access to interference free wireless-based control systems. To this end, where spectrum access is a key component of enabling Critical Infrastructure such as Energy Networks then this aspect should be captured in DCMS’s ongoing oversight of Critical Communications Infrastructure.
Background
Joint Radio Company Ltd is a wholly owned joint venture between the UK electricity and gas industries specifically created to manage the radio spectrum allocations for these industries used to support operational, safety and emergency communications.
JRC manages blocks of VHF and UHF spectrum for Private Business Radio applications, telemetry & telecontrol services and network operations. JRC created and manages a national cellular plan for co-ordinating frequency assignments for several large radio networks in the UK.
The VHF and UHF frequency allocations managed by JRC support telecommunications networks to keep the electricity and gas industries in touch with their field engineers. These networks provide comprehensive geographical coverage to support installation, maintenance and repair of plant in all weather conditions on 24 hour/365 days per year basis.
JRC’s Scanning Telemetry Service is used by radio based Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) networks which control and monitor safety critical gas and electricity industry plant and equipment throughout the country. These networks provide resilient and reliable communications at all times to unmanned sites and plant in remote locations to maintain the integrity of the UK’s energy generation, transmission and distribution.
JRC supports the European Utility Telecommunications Council’s Radio Spectrum Group, and participates in other global utility telecom organisations. JRC participates in European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) working groups developing new radio standards, and European telecommunications regulatory groups and workshops.
JRC also manages microwave fixed link and satellite licences on behalf of the utility sector.
JRC works with the Energy Networks Association’s Future Energy Networks Groups assessing ICT implications of Smart Networks, Smart Grids & Smart Meters and is an acknowledged knowledge source for cyber-security in respect of radio networks.