Delivering Smart Grid Solutions with TV White Spaces

Partnering with Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative and Telecommunications (PSREC) and Google, Spectrum Bridge deployed the nation's first "Smart Grid" wireless network trial using TV White Spaces. This marks the third successful White Spaces network solution deployed by Spectrum Bridge and continues to demonstrate alternative technology to help alleviate the perceived spectrum scarcity crisis.

In the Plumas County scenario, PSREC was investigating technologies to find a cost-effective solution to meet their challenges of providing rural broadband connectivity for customers over difficult terrain. TV White Spaces were a natural fit for providing an alternative solution because of the excellent propagation characteristics. "Plumas, Lassen and Sierra Counties are located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and present some very difficult challenges with respect to wireless coverage. The ability to use White SPace has proven to be an effective option for dealing with difficult terrain and offers another option for wireless connectivity," stated Lori Rice, PSREC's Chief Operating Officer.

Spectrum Bridge was able to help bring rural broadband connectivity to the PSREC customers using Spectrum Bridge's TV White Space database, which assigns non-interfering frequencies to white space devices. In addition, PSREC improved their System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) applications, and upgraded their Smart Grid implementation with the addition of Google PowerMeter technology deployed to select residents in Plumas-Sierra County.

With the TV White Spaces technology, companies facing connectivity challenges have another option available for wireless rural broadband access. As we await the FCC's finalized White Spaces rules, we continue to move forward by developing new technology and software to help accomodate the growing demand for spectrum.

- Neeraj Srivastava, VP of Business Development

Mission Critical Communication's Spectrum Alternatives Article

RadioResource's Mission Critical Communications August issue showcased a Spectrum Alternatives piece derived from Spectrum Bridge's “Part 90 Spectrum Scarcity” white paper. The article discusses how public safety entities may use frequencies commonly thought of as off-limits for certain applications.

In an example, Tillamook, Oregon had to obtain dedicated frequencies for their primary responders; they found exactly what they were looking for not in Part 90 spectrum, but in Part 22 and Part 24 channels.

The article takes up almost four pages in the printed version of the magazine, and is a great example of how the industry is utilizing Spectrum Bridge’s expertise to educate wireless audiences.

To view the online, digital version of the magazine, click here; see page 34 for the "Spectrum Alternatives" article.