During a conference on the 4.9 GHZ band at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last week, UTC suggested that the FCC could increase the use of the band by changing the rules to enable greater use by utilities. Specifically, UTC explained that the eligibility rules currently discourage utilities from accessing the band, such that there are less than 20 licenses that are held by utilities, all of whom are municipal utilities. UTC added that the rules discourage fixed use of the band for certain utility applications, such as meter reading. UTC recommended that the FCC allow utilities to access the band directly, and on a primary basis with other public safety licensees. We also recommended that the FCC permit all fixed operations to be licensed on a permanent primary basis, not just temporary fixed or fixed operations that link mobile or broadband networks as currently provided under the rules.

UTC's presentation can be viewed here.