How do you move the data from one level to the next? This symposium will target issues involved in core transport technologies. These systems form the backbone of critical infrastructure communication, but look quite different from one utility to the next. . As these systems evolve, utility telecom professionals are faced with the challenge to upgrade while continuing to meet the fundamentals - ensuring the safety and reliability of core utility services. Speakers in this symposium will highlight some exciting new opportunities.

 

Sunday, May 4, 2008

9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Pre-Conference Tutorials [1]

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Networking Lunch

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
UTC EXPO 2008 Grand Opening
Help us kick off UTC EXPO 2008 & UTC TELECOM 2008 in the exhibit hall! This event gives you a chance to get your first look at the exhibit hall while enjoying food and drinks at the same time. Renew old acquaintances and make new friends as you take advantage of this networking opportunity.

Monday, May 5, 2008

8:00 a.m.
Continental Networking Breakfast

8:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Opening General Session
Location: Gatlin B

UTC TELECOM 2008 starts off with a bang at the Opening General Session. The session will feature reports from Chairman of the Board Jeff Selman and UTC's Division Chairs, explaining their key issues and activities. This session also features a keynote on the state of the industry by Jeff Lyash, President & CEO, Progress Energy Florida, Inc. You'll want to stay for UTC TELECOM 2008's keynote address by Larry J. Sabato a leading election analyst and university professor. 2008 is shaping up to be a major political contest -- come hear what's in store for the elections and what that means for you professionally and personally!

10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break

10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Smart Grid Vision and Applications In 2008
Location: Butler

Rick Schmidt, VP-Utility Communication Systems, Power System Engineering
Dave Shpigler, President, Shpigler Group
Hans P. van Meeteren, Executive Consultant, KEMA, Inc.

Utilities are already working on their next–generation infrastructures, which will include more intelligence and thus, be even more dependent on communications and IT networks. Utility communication systems everywhere will need to be upgraded as part of this process, and UTC Research has conducted two studies of what is happening, how it’s happening, and which utility is doing what. This session will present a look at the key building blocks of the Intelligent Grid -- communications architecture, data repositories, application-level integration and standards -- as discovered through this work. Attendees can expect to learn how to create a roadmap for their utility’s next–generation vision – at least in terms of communications – and what applications can begin to be deployed immediately.

Mobile Data Management
Location: Gatlin A4

John Pomerleau, Mobility Solutions Principal, Motorola
Terri Snell, Alliance Director, Syclo

Growth in telecom is focused on data. Do you need a cradled or real-time mobility solution? What are the connectivity issues for one platform over another, and what have your colleagues done at other utilities? How are they mixing the two solutions to achieve the best results? And what is the role of geographic information systems (GIS)? Members have lots of questions - this session will help to address them as the issue of mobility at utilities is explored.

11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
UTC EXPO 2008 Open

12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Networking Lunch in UTC EXPO 2008

3:30 - 3:45 p.m.
Networking Break in UTC EXPO 2008

3:45 - 5:00 p.m.
Next-Generation, Mission-Critical Utility Communications Networking
Location: Gatlin A2

Kamal Ballout, Director, Business Development, Alcatel-Lucent USA
Jim Fraley, Director of Telecom, IT and Security, Grand River Dam Authority

Through utility case studies, this session highlights how IP/MPLS capabilities add cost-effective support of existing and growing packet application traffic to existing wide area network communications solutions, converging traffic from application-specific networks. The session will cover ideas to maintain key capabilities, including high availability and security for mission critical information. Key engineering and operations challenges, and migration steps to a next-generation, converged IP/MPLS network solution utilizing optical, microwave and WiMAX are
highlighted as well.

IP-Based Communications for Utilities
Location: Gatlin A3

Rick Hundstead, Data Products Manager, Tyco Electronics
Andy Grimmett, Technical Director, Team Simoco Ltd.

Communications networks are enabling platforms for all next-generation system automation, and future utility networks must provide the packet-based intelligence required to support IP-based applications: SCADA, LMR, VoIP, IP Data, VPNs, etc. These applications require increased bandwidth that is more flexible and efficient; increasingly these services will be delivered over an Internet Protocol/ Multi-Protocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS) -architecture. This session will discuss the benefits of implementing utility-wide IP-based systems, especially related to the integration of communications and IT-based applications, making disparate legacy systems interoperate, and easing future systems integration. The significant challenges and obstacles common to IP implementations will also be discussed.

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
UTC Gala
Location: Panzacola

Celebrate UTC's 60th birthday with us at Club Sesenta (or Club Sixty in English)! We've been around since 1948 -- that's something to celebrate. What better way than to mark this special anniversary with the very people that helped us make it to 60. And....in addition to a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday," and salsa dancing. Club Sesenta will include drinks, food, friends and fun all at Shingle Creek - don't miss it!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

8:30 - 9:45 a.m.
UTC Apex Award Breakfast
Location: Gatlin B

The presentation of the fourth Annual UTC Apex Award, sponsored by Motorola, will be an awards breakfast to remember! Join us again this year as we honor the absolute best in utility telecommunications to benefit our communities. This event will showcase the winners of this distinguished award and the finalists, told as only they can through the stories they submitted about their projects. Come and be reminded of what's special about being involved in the critical infrastructure communications industry!

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
UTC EXPO 2008 Open

10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
2.1 GHz Relocation – Issues and Opportunities
Location: Gatlin A2

Chris Holt, VP Spectrum Management Solutions, Comsearch

Ten years ago, it was the PCS relocation from 1.9 GHz; now utilities are having to relocate microwave systems from the 2.1 GHz band due to Advanced Wireless Service licensees. However, the rules this time are a bit different, and licensees can recoup some of their self-relocation costs if they know the right hoops to jump through. Join us for more information about the AWS relocation and how it's working.

10:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
*SUPER SESSION*
Telecom & IT Roles in Building the Smart Grid
Location: Butler

Charles D. Hill, Regional General Manager, Black & Veatch
Tom Moses, IT Architect, San Diego Gas & Electric Company
Mike Smalley, COO, VP Business Development, Carina Technology, Inc
Aldo Morri, Director of Research, Utilities Telecom Council

Utilities can't create Smart Grids without smart telecom - and UTC members know it better than anyone! This super session will provide a wide variety of information about the integral role of telecom in building and shaping the next-generation utility. Based on UTC's popular Next Steps to the Next-Generation Utility Research Report, the first part of this session will focus on what it means to move toward next-generation infrastructure. What is the vision of the future that society, regulators and the market have in mind for utilities? Speakers will discuss case studies of what utilities are doing right now to automate technology and implement new ideas that are considered next-generation. Specifically, this session will focus on long-term planning for implementation and the role of the telecom and IT professional in this process.

During the second half, the session will focus on key regulation and legislation that will impact how your utility creates a smart grid. As the demand for sustainable energy and conservation grows, many regulators are coupling utility spending to consumer empowerment, creating mandates that will impact your day-to-day business. Find out what is happening right now and what is on the horizon that we believe will significantly impact your services.

11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
UTC Legal/Regulatory Update - Infrastructure Issues
Location: Gatlin A2

Brett Kilbourne, Director-Regulatory Services & Associate Counsel, Utilities Telecom Council

From pole attachments to tower issues, this session, presented by UTC's Legal/Regulatory team, will fill you in on infrastructure issues you need to be aware of from the FCC, Congress and the states.

Fusing Transport and Data Networks
Location: Gatlin A3

Ty Estes, Director of Marketing, Omnitron Systems Technology
Dean Campbell, Chief Technology Officer, LightRiver Technologies, Inc.

Automation carries a price: utilities are faced with the need to leverage their existing optical transport networks to carry new traffic from extending network capabilities down to the substation. A new generation of products is being designed to meet these needs. The features and functionality of these new products enable a truly converged network design. This briefing covers the current state of network architecture and future possibilities.

12:15 - 2:15 p.m.
Networking Lunch in UTC EXPO 2008

3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
UTC Regulatory/Legislative Update - the Wireless Landscape
Location: Gatlin A4

Jill Lyon, Vice President & General Counsel, Utilities Telecom Council
Prudence Parks, Federal Legislative Representative, Utilities Telecom Council

As always, there are many regulatory issues and proceedings that will have an impact on utility mobility networks. Issues continue to affect your legacy spectrum, while new proceedings have possibilities for wireless broadband, telemetry and new technologies. Meanwhile, UTC is focusing on the energy side of regulation more than ever before as a way to get members' needs understood. This session, presented by UTC's Legal/Regulatory team, will go over the broad regulatory landscape that will determine the future of your communications systems.

The Power of Partnerships: The Value of Long-Term Utility Alliances with Technology Providers
Location: Gatlin A1

Jeff Selman,Manager, Telecom & Protection Engineering,
Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association
Kathleen Brown, Territory Manager,Harris Stratex Networks
Rusty Williams, Mgr-Planning & Engineering, Southern Company Services
Steve Ferguson, National Sales Manager - Utility Division,
AFL Telecommunications
R. Dee Stryker, VP-Sales & Marketing, EasTex Tower, Inc.

Utilities will need strong technology partners to successfully meet every telecom and IT challenge facing them in the years ahead. More and more, utilities are reexamining the concept of a long-term alliance with key technology providers as a way of ensuring their access to critical technologies and implementation resources. This session will feature case studies of these new alliances exploring what makes them work and explaining how they can work for you. Long-term relationships with technology vendors had been common at utilities until recent years. In many ways these new technology alliances are very different; however, as the wise philosopher of baseball, Yogi Berra, once said, "It's like déjà vu all over again."

State of Utility Fiber
Location: Gatlin A2

David Daigle,President, Broadband Asset Strategies, LLC
David Boroughs, Principal Consultant, KEMA, Inc.

You may have seen the report -- now hear the details! This session will review highlights from UTC Research's State of Utility Fiber study report. UTC and KEMA teamed up to produce the report, looking at major trends in utility fiber demand, buildout and uses. When do utilities sell fiber? When do they expand their fiber offerings? When does it make sense to agree to fiber for utility right-of way? Fiber-optic technology use is only growing - find out how to use your fiber economically based on market demand and hear how other utilities are using fiber for internal and external projects.

4:15 - 4:30 p.m.
Networking Break

4:30 - 5:45 p.m.
Fiber-To-The-X: Best Practices Tutorial
Location: Gatlin A1

Scott Jackson, National Market Manager, Graybar

Have you considered a Fiber-To-The-x (FTTX) deployment for your internal network (x standing for a variety of variables including Home, Business, Tower, Curb, etc.)? There are many benefits of using FTTx such as enabling you to focus on the customer in unprecedented ways. This session will discuss product and applications at the core, outside plant hardware and electrics, as well as the end-user in detail. This session will also analyze the costs associated with different aspects that will help you see the fiscal side of the FTTx decision. Additionally, presenters will review obstacles that utilities have encountered and overcome during the FTTx process, and the many success stories associated with this technology.

Impact of Smart Grids on Core Transport Technologies
Location: Butler

Brian Wilkin, Western Region Sales Manager
LightRiver Technologies, Inc.
David Hulinsky, P.E., Black & Veatch Corporation

As utilities implement different components of their smart grid solution, the impact on core transport technologies can be massive. This session will discuss what changes you can expect based on the experience of others that have implemented systems, and how to minimize disruptions to your existing network while preparing for the future.

Advantages in Modern Communications as Applied to Remedial Action Schemes
Location: Gatlin A2

William Higinbotham, VP Engineering, RFL Electronics Inc.

Remedial action schemes (RAS) are often applied to large power systems for control of the system during severe abnormal conditions when traditional localized control is inadequate. RAS systems mean large numbers of diverse communication paths providing real-time information from a wide geographic area. Paths are usually a mix of every media available, from leased circuits to audio circuits to dark fiber, and recently, IP networks. Today's technology allows users to accomplish this with minimum impact on field equipment while using the existing communications paths. This session will show you how.

Washington Roundtable
Location: St. Johns 23

Jill Lyon, Vice President & General Counsel, Utilities Telecom Council
Prudence Parks, Federal Legislative Representative, Utilities Telecom Council
Erik Stark, Associate Administrator for the Office of Policy Analysis and Development, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
Rita Wells, Manager/SCADA and Process Control Systems, Idaho National Laboratory

From the new Energy Act to emergency communications and cyber security, utility communications capabilities are being considered all over Washington these days. UTC’s Public Policy Division and staff are working with Congress, the Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, NTIA and others, and you should hear what policymakers are doing that could have a profound effect on your utility and its systems. Finish your educational day with some inside information from our Washington guests in this important session.

International Roundtable
Location: St. Johns 25

MODERATOR: Dymitr Wajsman, Co-Chairman, UTC International Division, and Director, APTEL - Associaçao das Empresas Proprietàrias de Infraestrutura e Sistemas Privados de Telecommunicações (BRAZIL)
Miguel Angel Sánchez Fornié, Co-Chairman, UTC International Division, and Director of Telecommunications and Control Systems, Iberdrola, S.A. (SPAIN)
Ion Nedelcu, General Director, TELETRANS S.A. (ROMANIA)
José Gonçalves Vieira, New Business and Telecom Superintendent, CELG – Cia Energetica de Goias (BRAZIL)
Cenildo Costa de Oliveira, Telecommunications Engineering Manager, CHESF – Cia Hidro Eletrica de Sao Francisco (BRAZIL)

A special invitation is extended to all international delegates attending UTC TELECOM 2008 to attend this unique session featuring utility telecom executives from around the world addressing key activities in Europe and South America. Following the presentations, all international participants will be invited to give a brief report on their activities. A great session to meet your counterparts from across the globe and make new, valuable friends.

6:30 p.m.
UTC Awards Dinner
Location: Panzacola F

The UTC Awards Dinner is a favorite social event of UTC TELECOM 2008! During the Awards Dinner we will honor the recipients of UTC's most prestigious awards in 2008, the Dondanville, Meehan and Chairman's Awards after enjoying a sit down dinner. This is a great way to end the last full day of UTC TELECOM 2008, honoring colleagues and friends. *Please note, dress for this event is semi-formal.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
UTC Annual Membership Meeting & Breakfast
Location: Gatlin B

On the last day of UTC TELECOM 2008, you'll take part in the UTC Annual Membership Meeting. This is your chance to hear UTC's leaders report on their activities over the past year and their plans for 2008-2009. It's also your chance to vote on any new business for UTC, including the election of new officers! Join Jeff Selman, UTC's Chairman of the Board, as he and other leaders remind you why you became a member of UTC . Be a part of the annual progress of your trade association as we enter our very special anniversary year!

9:30 - 9:45 a.m.
Networking Break

9:45 - 11:45 a.m.
NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection Compliance Workshop
Location: Gatlin A3

Jonathan Pollet, VP, Professional Services, Industrial Defender
Ori Artman, Chief Technology Officer, Teltone Corporation
Andrew Bartels, Chief Technology Officer, Aegis Technologies
Curtis Johnson, Project Manager, Black & Veatch

This workshop provides a pivotal look at utility compliance with CIP 002-009, the NERC Cyber Security standards. With fines that can hit up to $1 million, per instance, PER DAY, any potential problems can translate to huge liabilities for your utility. Mitigating risk before any surprise NERC audit is essential. This session will go over what you need to know in regards to NERC compliance no matter where you are in the process.

Grounding Workshop
Location: Gatlin A2

John Howard, VP-Business Development, Lyncole XIT Grounding

Back again this year is our popular grounding workshop! Grounding systems are essential to keep utilities operating at a high performance level. This workshop will go into details about grounding electrode systems, single point grounding, isolated ring and halo grounds, as well as tower grounding. Hear from experts on the best practices when it comes to grounding, along with common pitfalls and how to solve them.