PTC-220 LLC
What is PTC-220?
PTC-220 is a consortium held by the seven Class I railroads. It is a spectrum holding company and licensee for various FCC call signs in the 219 and 220/221 MHz bands. Its purpose is to provide and manage spectrum needed to operate specific safety systems such as Positive Train Control, Traffic Control, and other Train Control related systems.
Who owns PTC-220?
PTC-220 is an LLC owned by its seven members: BNSF, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific. These railroads have contributed the funds needed to acquire the necessary auctioned spectrum for statutorily-mandated PTC networks, and have worked with the FCC to obtain the needed operational authorities. PTC-220 also has “non-member” spectrum users, who typically lease spectrum from PTC-220 or obtain rights through a member.
How is PTC-220 Managed and Governed?
Most of PTC-220’s operations are overseen by three bodies. General governance is overseen by a Management Committee (MC), and technical matters related to the spectrum are overseen by a Spectrum Management Committee (SMC) and Technical Advisory Committee (PAC). MC, SMC and PAC are composed of representatives of the members of PTC-220. The MC has overseen and approved the various spectrum acquisitions by PTC-220. The SMC and PAC has adopted technologies and protocols for use with PTC so that the networks of the various railroads will be interoperable.
What are PTC-220's Functions?
- Holds spectrum licenses used by railroads in the U.S. to operate Positive Train Control (PTC) networks mandated by statute, and is engaged in acquiring additional spectrum to support related train safety applications;
- Supports spectrum needs for railroads through lease arrangements (members & non-members), including passenger and commuter railroads that need I-ETMS® protocol capability;
- Coordinates RF design, interference mitigation, leveraging expertise across the industry;
- Ability to accommodate/manage non-member owned spectrum;
- Coordinates with commuter and passenger railroads that hold various licenses in the 217 and 218 MHz bands for PTC using a different protocol to avoid interference between networks (i.e., ACSES).
Who currently holds the key positions in PTC-220?
Kelechi Nwogu (UP)
President, PTC-220
Pierre Leclerc
Corporate Secretary & Spectrum Coordinator
Andrew Sutherland (NS)
Chairman, Spectrum Management Committee
Joshua Greer (KCS)
Chairman, Technical Advisory Committee
Previous Officers
| Term | PTC-220 President | SMC Chairman | PAC Chairman |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2021 - July 2023 | Tom Burns (KCS) | Simon Beliveau (CN) | Ryan Hartley/John Jimison (CSX) |
| July 2019 - July 2021 | Kevin Waldern (CP) | Mike Dizor (CSX) | Praveen Krishnan (BNSF) |
| July 2017 - July 2019 | Kim Simmonds (CN) | Tom Burns (KCS) | Kelechi Nwogu (KC) (UP) |
| July 2015 - July 2017 | Mike Lannan (BNSF) | Kevin Waldern (CP) | Enzo DeBenetti (CN) |
| July 2013 - July 2015 | Henry McCreary (CSX) | Mike Lannan (BNSF) | Joshua Allison (NS) |
| July 2011 - July 2013 | Tom Schnautz (NS) | Ed Hollingsworth (UP) | Joshua Allison (NS) |
PTC-220, LLC. 2023