Pre–Conference Tutorials provide a great way to get started on your UTC TELECOM 2008 experience. Included in the Super Pass registration, these sessions provide intensive learning on key topics that will help you prepare for the rest of UTC TELECOM 2008. Don’t miss them!

Sunday, May 4, 2008

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Utility Telecom 101 Tutorial
Location: Gatlin A1

George R. Stoll, President, Utility Telecom Consulting Group, Inc.
Sonny Loreto, Consultant, Utility Telecom Consulting Group, Inc.

This always-popular tutorial is back again this year! Utility Telecom 101 is a session that provides an introduction for all the education to come during UTC TELECOM 2008. This is the session for people new to utilities or the telecom field, and for vendors that sell to this market. This session will explore the framework of utility telecom networks, their functions and challenges, as well as the changing roles of telecom professionals within utilities.

Critical Communications Infrastructure Master Planning
Location: Gatlin A2

Daniel E. Draughn, Managing Director, RCC Consultants Inc.
Michael B. Robinson, Communication Systems Architect, IBM Corporation PRESENTATION [1]

This session provides utility communication managers an analytical review of private, semi-private and commercial hardened broadband networks. The utility driven requirements for real-time, reliable always on communications are instrumental not only in daily operations, but are critical to restoring services during natural and man-made disasters. Critical Infrastructure
Network Operators like utilities have and continue to find themselves managing multiple networks (voice, data and video) as they leverage past investments, while implementing cost-effective next generation IP based solutions. Network migration and technology convergence are critical components as utilities modernize their communication networks.

Project Management for Non-Project Managers Tutorial
Location: Gatlin A3

John Gura, PMP, TPM, Project Office Resource Manager Information Technology, Southern Company Services PRESENTATION [2]

More and more, utility telecom professionals at all levels are called on to manage projects of varying size and complexity. However, successful project management involves both skill and process. This session will discuss the best practices for successful project management at utilities. The speaker will teach attendees how to organize and manage resources to get the project accomplished - on time and on budget. Starting at the beginning, it will discuss how to plan, including scoping out the project, budgeting and planning for resource use. This session will help you avoid common pitfalls in project management and increase your value to your utility.

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Networking Lunch

1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Staying out of Trouble with OSHA and the FCC – Compliance Training for Everyone
Location: Gatlin A1

Klaus Bender, Director-Engineering, Utilities Telecom Council PRESENATION [3]

PRESENTATION 2 [4]

What are your spectrum assets, and how do you manage them effectively? The first part of this tutorial, hosted by UTC Spectrum Services, will focus on the FCC's frequency allocation process, including common problems coordinators see and how to fix them. On the RF training side, experts will go over RF safety issues and rules, including a discussion on the signage and training needed to stay in compliance with the rules on RF emissions. Since both issues involve government rules and regulations that MUST be adhered to, it's important that you are familiar with them. This session will give you the refresher course you need on compliance standards to keep you out of trouble.

Utility Wireless Collocation Tutorial
Location: Gatlin A2

Kurt Gastrock, Principal, Management & Business Development Consulting PRESENTATION [5]
Ann Brooks, Sr. Manager, External Affairs - South Region, T-Mobile PRESENTATION [6]
Mike Bowles, VP- Site Management Practice, Ventera Corporation PRESENTATION [7]

Hosted by the UtiliSite Council, this session will cover the basics of how and why an increasing number of utilities are making their assets available for wireless collocation. Attendees also will hear about the current state of the wireless attachment market based on the recent UTC research report. How do utilities get into this business? How do utilities build to meet commercial wireless needs and attract additional revenue? How do you write a business
plan to justify your utility adding this line of business? This session will cover all these questions and more as panel members talk about their experiences with commercial wireless support services.

Prioritizing Utility CAPEX Projects
Location: Gatlin A3

Patrick Delaney, Vice President, Analytic Solutions, Davies Consulting, Inc. PRESENTATION [8]

Today's utilities are much leaner than in the past, and large numbers of dollars for important upgrades aren't usually easy to find. Plus, utility telecom professionals don't always know the best way to get their projects on the "must-do" list. This session will explore best practices for prioritizing these projects and calculating the capital budget needed to complete the project. Then, get strategies on how to present your telecom needs best to upper management and board members who may not understand the importance of telecom in the overall operation of the utility. Hear from other utility telecom professionals on the processes and strategies that have worked best for them and their utilities.