Opinion ID: 2227782
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: nppd's internal communications network

Text: The NPPD is a public corporation and political subdivision of the State of Nebraska, SID No. 1 v. Nebraska Pub. Power Dist., 253 Neb. 917, 573 N.W.2d 460 (1998), which operates an electrical utility system and generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity within its chartered territory, Omaha Pub. Power Dist. v. Nebraska Dept. of Revenue, 248 Neb. 518, 537 N.W.2d 312 (1995). To operate its electrical system, the NPPD requires an internal communications network, which is primarily designed to assist the NPPD in operating its protective equipment. The communications network is also used to transmit voice and data between the NPPD's offices. In the past, the NPPD and other utilities used 2 gigahertz band frequencies for analog microwave communications pursuant to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licenses. However, in 1993, the FCC issued new rules providing policies and procedures for the mandatory and voluntary relocation of 2 gigahertz users to other frequencies on the spectrum. In response to the new FCC rules, the NPPD began converting its analog microwave network to a combination of digital microwave and fiber optics. The fiber optics were integrated into the NPPD's overhead protection ground wire, or shield wire. The high voltage lines used by the NPPD generally have three conductors, or phase wires. A shield wire is situated above the phase wires to protect them from lightning strikes. The shield wire is metal and generally contains no fiber optics. However, since the NPPD and other utilities were required by the FCC to relinquish their 2 gigahertz microwave communications systems, shield wire manufacturers have put fiber optics on the inside of their metal shield wires. Shield wire containing fiber optics is thus able to protect phase wires from lightning strikes and transmit communications.