Lackey Urges Investment By Utilities In Information Communications Technologies

May 7, 2007

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Kristy Weinshel
202.833.6815
kristy.weinshel@utc.org

Lackey Urges Investment By Utilities In Information Communications Technologies

Austin, TX – Noting the importance for all utilities to invest in next-generation communications networks to build 21st Century electric, gas and water systems that preserve natural resources and increase reliability, Joseph Lackey of Southside Electric Cooperative praised the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) as a "uniquely cooperative organization that all utilities can use to achieve these critical goals."

Lackey is the Chairman of UTC's Board of Directors and his comments were part of his remarks opening UTC’s Annual Conference - UTC TELECOM 2007 - here in Austin, Texas, today.

Noting that all utilities are in a phase of significant investment in improving all critical infrastructure, he urged greater investment in information communications technologies as "the best way to improve customer service and reliability quickly and over the long-term."

Lackey, who is also the Telecommunications Supervisory at Southside Electric, pointed to several research projects being released at UTC TELECOM 2007 and the numerous educational sessions designed to help the more than one thousand attendees at UTC TELECOM 2007 prepare for the improvements that need to be implemented at their utilities.

UTC TELECOM 2007’s program features several educational Symposia covering a broad range of issues. They are the Utility Wireless Communications Symposium, Wireless Business Opportunities Symposium, Broadband over Power Line Symposium, Advanced Metering, Infrastructure Symposium, Optical Networking Symposium, and the SCADA & Control Systems Management Symposium. More information on speakers and topics can be found on www.UTCTELECOM2007.utc.org.

UTC TELECOM 2007 continues until May 9, 2007 at the Austin Convention Center.

Utilities Telecom Council
The Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) is a global trade association dedicated to creating a favorable business, regulatory, and technological environment for companies that own, manage, or provide critical telecommunications systems in support of their core business. Founded in 1948 to advocate for the allocation of additional radio spectrum for power utilities, UTC has evolved into a dynamic organization that represents the broad communications interests of electric, gas, and water utilities; natural gas pipelines; other critical infrastructure entities; and other industry stakeholders.

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