Mike O’Rielly, former commissioner for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), expressed concerns over the railroads' plan to consolidate Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) and Positive Train Control (PTC) onto the 220 MHz network. He articulated these views in an op-ed on February 18.
"On the off chance that the rail industry's 900 MHz dream doesn't come about, it appears to be already planning for a back-up," said Mike O'Rielly, Former Commissioner of the FCC. "Under this maneuvering, it would vacate the 900 MHz and shift its critical Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) communications systems to the 220 MHz block."
According to LILEE Systems, the rail industry is seeking to merge CTC—a system used by dispatchers to control signals and switches—with PTC, a safety overlay designed to prevent collisions and derailments, onto a network originally built solely for PTC. This initiative is motivated by the FCC's repurposing of the 900 MHz band and a desire to streamline operations. However, O’Rielly said that combining two critical systems on one legacy network raises concerns about bandwidth, reliability, and cybersecurity that could compromise rail safety.
LILEE Systems also indicated that bandwidth constraints on the 220 MHz network could delay crucial safety messages. The network was initially designed for PTC’s continuous data stream but not for handling CTC’s signal and switch commands. Adding CTC traffic risks congestion on narrowband channels, where a surge in CTC messages could delay PTC’s life-saving updates—such as emergency braking commands—potentially by seconds, which could be vital in preventing disasters.
A study from the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) highlighted that using a single network introduces a single point of failure for two essential systems. If the 220 MHz network fails due to technical issues or sabotage, both PTC and CTC could go offline simultaneously. According to the FRA study, communication breakdowns lead to restricted speeds and system-wide disruptions. Losing CTC would further blind dispatchers, heightening safety risks and potentially halting rail operations.
"The freight rail industry is at a pivotal point with its wireless communications," said O'Reilly. "It has the chance to take aggressive steps that would prove it is truly committed to a broadband network future at 900 MHz, providing a host of new options and capabilities." He warned against allowing cost-cutting measures to undermine credibility until regulatory intervention becomes necessary.
Michael O’Rielly served as an FCC commissioner from 2013 to 2020, according to Fierce Technology. He currently holds positions as president of MPORielly Consulting Inc., visiting fellow at the Hudson Institute, and senior fellow at the Media Institute. Before his tenure at the FCC, he spent two decades in key staff roles on Capitol Hill within both chambers of Congress.
