EUTC drives the debate on harmonised and standardised radio spectrum allocation for utility and critical infrastructure companies operating across Europe. By engaging with ETSI, CEPT, DG CONNECT and DG ENERGY, EUTC follows and contributes to future trends and requirements for radio spectrum for utilities and other relevant applications such as cybersecurity, commercial telecommunications cooperation, and infrastructure sharing. EUTC also actively supports the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Study Group 5 (SG5) on Terrestrial Services, focusing on the next ITU World Radio Conference in 2023 (WRC23).

EUTC acts as a single voice for European utilities in articulating requirements to feed into international standards organisations such as ETSI, CEN, CENELEC and 3GPP. Its aim is to stimulate the incorporation of appropriate provisions into new and emerging standards. By voicing the requirements of critical infrastructure, EUTC helps ensure standardisation of the solutions and technologies to foster a more resilient future for Europe. Moreover, EUTC works with European and national regulators and governments to ensure a better understanding of the essential parameters required in utility network operation.

EUTC actively contributes to various multi-player working groups, as the backbone of future decarbonised, sustainable, secure and competitive energy systems delivering affordable and reliable solutions for Europe’s consumers and businesses.

ETSI & 3GPP membership

European Parliament’s Radio Spectrum Policy Plan (RSPP) discussions

EU Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG)

CEPT’s Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) and their Frequency

Management (FM) and Spectrum Engineering (SE) Working Groups.

The Radiocommunications sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R) and its relevant sub-ordination Study Groups.
European Commission’s Smart Grid taskforce Partnership with TCCA & 450MHz Alliance who have several overlapping areas of interest with EUTC. The interrelated scope with 450 MHz Alliance consists of standardisation development, device availability, 3GPP activity and ensuring a healthy vendor eco-system. Collaboration with TCCA covers the issue of communication in critical national infrastructure environment and cybersecurity.

EUTC enhances and facilitates the mutually beneficial collaboration between commercial telecommunications providers and network operators and utilities within three distinct activities: 

By addressing specific 5G requirements supporting communication solutions relevant to utility operations, EUTC encourages them to go beyond what is currently provided where needed.

EUTC explores and develops different models for the organisation of telecommunications activities within utilities. 

EUTC provides telecommunication providers and network operators with a better understanding of where further assistance and/or input can be offered to utilities for their mutual benefit. This is of particular relevance to the future deployment of 5G technology in the millimetre wave bands – where significant network densification is required by mobile operators with limited additional revenues to fund additional passive infrastructure. EUTC are involved in discussion around the network sharing requirements which are mandated within the new electronic communications code and broadband cost reduction initiative

Today, increased efficiency comes in the form of smart grids and metering for utilities in energy and water industries. The intensified reliance on digitalisation and Internet of Things (IoT) gives reason for concern on the safety of operations and management, for critical infrastructure especially. EUTC fosters awareness and maturity of cybersecurity and resilience of networks among European utility companies. By sharing information and developing common positions between EUTC’s members, EUTC actively contributes to cybersecurity regulation and resilience challenges operating real-time telecoms networks.

The significant increase in data volumes which will be created in the smart grid of the future will result in requirements for new methodology for managing networks. It will no longer be possible to have an entire network controlled by a handful of experts located in centralised control centres. A far greater degree of distributed, automated control will be necessary.

EUTC generates a clear understanding of where Big Data’s long-term value lies by carrying out pilot projects and finding solutions to existing obstacles, such as unbundling, data protection or critical infrastructure. By seeking opportunities to participate in collaborative international research projects, EUTC supports in recognising the potential for deployment of new techniques to manage Big Data such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain in utility operations. Key issues around who has access to data generated in a smart grid will be important – who will own the data and who will have the rights to monetise the data which is gathered? EUTC are involved in discussions around the opportunities and threats which are represented by these cutting-edge developments