Las Vegas, NV
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Broadband Power Line Winter Conference February 27 - March 2, 2007: Everything from Smart Grid to Home Networking
Red Rock Casino - Resort - Spa
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Designed Telecommunications Deploys Corinex BPL Solution in Radford, Virginia
December 18, 2006 06:00 AM Eastern Time
Phase one of four complete – City of Radford on track
RADFORD, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Designed Telecommunications (D-Tel) has completed phase one of a four phase project that will deliver broadband internet services across the entire city of Radford, Virginia. The service, aptly named Radnet, was deployed by Designed Telecommunications and utilizes 200Mbps Broadband over Powerline technology from Corinex Communications Corp.
Radnet is up and running and offers up to 3 Mbps connections to consumer and business customers in 2 square miles of town centered around the Radford University campus. The project is expected to connect all City of Radford homes and businesses via the BPL Network by the end of 2007. The Radford deployment is one of the largest commercial BPL Networks operating in the US.
“Ensuring that all of Radford’s residents and businesses have access to broadband internet services was a critical factor in the city choosing to invest in Broadband over Powerline technology,” stated Tony Cox, City Manager for the City of Radford. “We chose D-Tel and Corinex Communications, two leaders in the BPL space, to deliver our Radnet service, an affordable broadband solution available across the entire city.”
“D-Tel is pleased to have deployed phase one of the Radnet project,” said Patrick McHugh, D-Tel’s Vice President. “The Corinex BPL Access products that we deployed are currently delivering a solid stable broadband network across Phase 1 of the network.”
“D-Tel has spent significant resources developing the knowledge and expertise required to deploy BPL technology,” said Eric Barker, Corinex Communication’s Director of Sales, Strategic Accounts & Government. “Deploying BPL Networks have challenges due to RF noise and the complexity of the distribution grid, companies like D-Tel are successful due to the extensive experience they have gained from projects like Radnet.”
Radnet is available for as little as $29.95 for consumers and $39.95 for businesses. For more information visit www.radford.va.us/radnet.
Phase one of four complete – City of Radford on track
RADFORD, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Designed Telecommunications (D-Tel) has completed phase one of a four phase project that will deliver broadband internet services across the entire city of Radford, Virginia. The service, aptly named Radnet, was deployed by Designed Telecommunications and utilizes 200Mbps Broadband over Powerline technology from Corinex Communications Corp.
Radnet is up and running and offers up to 3 Mbps connections to consumer and business customers in 2 square miles of town centered around the Radford University campus. The project is expected to connect all City of Radford homes and businesses via the BPL Network by the end of 2007. The Radford deployment is one of the largest commercial BPL Networks operating in the US.
“Ensuring that all of Radford’s residents and businesses have access to broadband internet services was a critical factor in the city choosing to invest in Broadband over Powerline technology,” stated Tony Cox, City Manager for the City of Radford. “We chose D-Tel and Corinex Communications, two leaders in the BPL space, to deliver our Radnet service, an affordable broadband solution available across the entire city.”
“D-Tel is pleased to have deployed phase one of the Radnet project,” said Patrick McHugh, D-Tel’s Vice President. “The Corinex BPL Access products that we deployed are currently delivering a solid stable broadband network across Phase 1 of the network.”
“D-Tel has spent significant resources developing the knowledge and expertise required to deploy BPL technology,” said Eric Barker, Corinex Communication’s Director of Sales, Strategic Accounts & Government. “Deploying BPL Networks have challenges due to RF noise and the complexity of the distribution grid, companies like D-Tel are successful due to the extensive experience they have gained from projects like Radnet.”
Radnet is available for as little as $29.95 for consumers and $39.95 for businesses. For more information visit www.radford.va.us/radnet.
Intellon Corporation Raises $18 Million in Financing: Samsung Ventures Joins Existing Investors in Backing the Global Leader in Powerline Comm.
Intellon Corporation Raises $18 Million in Financing
Samsung Ventures Joins Existing Investors in Backing the Global Leader in Powerline Communications Technology
December 19, 2006 08:00 AM Eastern Time
OCALA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intellon Corporation, the world leader in powerline communications technology, integrated circuit (IC) sales and product enablement, today announced it has raised $18 million in new equity financing. Samsung Ventures joins existing investors BCE Capital; Comcast Interactive Capital; Duchossois Technology Partners; EnerTech Capital; Fidelity Ventures; Goldman, Sachs & Co.; Intel Capital; Liberty Associated Partners, LP; Motorola Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Motorola, Inc.; TL Ventures; and UMC Capital Corporation in the financing round. The round was led by Goldman Sachs.
Intellon will use the new funds to accelerate the global rollout of its HomePlug® AV compatible ICs and to develop innovative new products to meet customer needs. Building on the company’s existing line of HomePlug 1.0 compatible ICs that are already being used on six continents for home networking, IPTV distribution, broadband over powerline (BPL) and commercial applications, Intellon’s HomePlug AV ICs enable whole-house distribution of high definition video and digital audio over existing home electrical wiring and coaxial cable, with robust quality of service and tight control of latency and jitter.
“Samsung Ventures is pleased to be investing in Intellon at this exciting time in the industry,” said Jay Eum, managing director of Samsung Ventures. “With Intellon’s release of the industry’s first HomePlug AV-based ICs, we look forward to evaluating opportunities for exciting new CE-class products in the future.”
“This new round of funding will help Intellon meet the exploding global demand for its HomePlug product line in the service provider, digital home and BPL markets,” said Charlie Harris, chairman and chief executive officer of Intellon. “We are particularly pleased to have Samsung Ventures join the Intellon investor group.”
Samsung Ventures Joins Existing Investors in Backing the Global Leader in Powerline Communications Technology
December 19, 2006 08:00 AM Eastern Time
OCALA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intellon Corporation, the world leader in powerline communications technology, integrated circuit (IC) sales and product enablement, today announced it has raised $18 million in new equity financing. Samsung Ventures joins existing investors BCE Capital; Comcast Interactive Capital; Duchossois Technology Partners; EnerTech Capital; Fidelity Ventures; Goldman, Sachs & Co.; Intel Capital; Liberty Associated Partners, LP; Motorola Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Motorola, Inc.; TL Ventures; and UMC Capital Corporation in the financing round. The round was led by Goldman Sachs.
Intellon will use the new funds to accelerate the global rollout of its HomePlug® AV compatible ICs and to develop innovative new products to meet customer needs. Building on the company’s existing line of HomePlug 1.0 compatible ICs that are already being used on six continents for home networking, IPTV distribution, broadband over powerline (BPL) and commercial applications, Intellon’s HomePlug AV ICs enable whole-house distribution of high definition video and digital audio over existing home electrical wiring and coaxial cable, with robust quality of service and tight control of latency and jitter.
“Samsung Ventures is pleased to be investing in Intellon at this exciting time in the industry,” said Jay Eum, managing director of Samsung Ventures. “With Intellon’s release of the industry’s first HomePlug AV-based ICs, we look forward to evaluating opportunities for exciting new CE-class products in the future.”
“This new round of funding will help Intellon meet the exploding global demand for its HomePlug product line in the service provider, digital home and BPL markets,” said Charlie Harris, chairman and chief executive officer of Intellon. “We are particularly pleased to have Samsung Ventures join the Intellon investor group.”
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Is BPL Gaining Momentum — Again?
By: Annie Lindstrom
Posted on: 12/27/2006
For years, folks in the broadband-over-powerline space have promised an impending surge of activity for BPL. But, at least in the United States, BPL has failed to spark significant deployment in access and in-home networks. However, some still suggest BPL is gaining momentum and will offer the coverage necessary to light up broadband networks when network operators are ready to flip the switch.
As DSL’s biggest selling point was the ubiquity of twisted copper pair, BPL’s biggest selling point remains the fact that it is carried over the world’s other ubiquitous transport medium — electrical transmission and distribution wires. Much like DSL in its early days, BPL has been subject to fits and starts since it flew onto the telecom industry’s radar screen at the beginning of the decade. Since then, there have been more fits than starts evidenced by the fact that there are only about 6,000 BPL-based broadband subscribers nationwide, according to FCC reports. Of course, lots of DSL- and cable modem-powered lines have been deployed since then, too, making BPL less appealing to some utilities that might have taken an initial interest in becoming broadband providers when this market was new, says Teresa Mastrangelo, principal analyst for broadbandtrends.com.
“Utilities are not highly competitive,” says Leif Ericson, business development manager for Southern Telecom, subsidiary of Southern Co., a super-regional energy concern in the Southeast. Southern conducted field trials of BPL for consumer broadband in 2004, but today the company is focusing its efforts on evaluating the technology from a core utility application perspective only, he adds.
Indeed, it appears to be turning out that, just like DSL, which needed the prodding of competition from MSOs deploying cable modem technology to overcome the fits and start for good, BPL is in need of a push. BPL got a boost in November when the FCC classified BPL as an interstate information service, rather than a telecommunications service. But the push that may get BPL rolling once and for all is the fact that electrical utilities are awakening to BPL’s potential to add intelligence, a.k.a. Smart Grid capability, to their networks, according to Joe Marsilii, president and CEO of BPL equipment maker and integrator MainNet Powerline Inc.
Since the Northeast Blackout of 2003, the London terrorist bombings of 2005 and 9/11, “there has been an enormous effort and focus on adding intelligence to the electric grid to avoid outages, cut costs and to support homeland security over power lines,” says Marsilii, “much more so today than when we launched our business in 2000.”
As a result, Marsilii predicts, 70 percent to 80 percent of the nation’s electrical grid will be equipped with BPL in five to eight years.
When it comes to actual deployment of BPL in the access portion of the network, all eyes currently are on CURRENT Technologies LLC, which recently began building a BPL access network to provide Smart Grid capability for Dallas-based utility TXU Corp. In addition to providing TXU with a means of monitoring, managing and maintaining its heretofore unintelligent electrical network, CURRENT will use the BPL equipment it installs to offer broadband services to more than 2 million TXU customers in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, according to Jay Birnbaum, vice president and general counsel for CURRENT.
CURRENT has been operating a much smaller BPL network that provides some Smart Grid capability and offering broadband service to 50,000 customers in cooperation with Cincinnati’s Duke Energy Corp. for the past two years. However, the main purpose of the TXU BPL deployment will be to provide a showcase for the nation’s utilities that enables them to see just what BPL can do for them in terms of Smart Grid, says Birnbaum.
“The biggest issue we have is getting utilities to decide to do something different,” says Birnbaum.
TXU has directed its electrical meter vendor to BPL-enable 400,000 meters for installation on the network, says Birnbaum, adding that many utilities have told CURRENT they would deploy BPL if CURRENT would show them a BPL-enabled electric meter. Birnbaum says he told each utility CURRENT could get that done in six months’ time, but first the utility would have to go to its meter company and tell them they would buy such a meter.
“That’s because, right now, meter companies want utilities to buy their wireless meter,” he explains. “So, why would they go into the BPL space and cannibalize their own business? We had that chicken-and-egg thing, and I think we are overcoming it. The biggest issue we face now is showing other utilities that are interested in BPL that we will be able to do what we said we were going to do in Texas.”
Because it has none of the trappings of a communications network, deploying BPL-based and Smart Grid technology means building a communications infrastructure — and the network management processes that go with Smart Grid — from scratch, says Birnbaum. All this ground-floor level work has to be done to get BPL moving.
“The hard part, hopefully, is over. Now we have the perfect test bed to show other utilities how Smart Grid works,” says Birnbaum.
CURRENT is hoping the TXU network creates a snowball effect. Once they see it working, state public utility commissions could start urging other utilities in Texas and across the nation to start deploying BPL, he says. In fact, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners recently passed a pro-BPL policy, he adds.
All of this is important to BPL for consumer/business broadband because only after BPL catches on with utilities for Smart Grid will third-party broadband providers such as CURRENT, or the utility companies themselves, begin using BPL-enabled electrical networks to deliver broadband services to consumers.
Source: http://www.xchangemag.com
Posted on: 12/27/2006
For years, folks in the broadband-over-powerline space have promised an impending surge of activity for BPL. But, at least in the United States, BPL has failed to spark significant deployment in access and in-home networks. However, some still suggest BPL is gaining momentum and will offer the coverage necessary to light up broadband networks when network operators are ready to flip the switch.
As DSL’s biggest selling point was the ubiquity of twisted copper pair, BPL’s biggest selling point remains the fact that it is carried over the world’s other ubiquitous transport medium — electrical transmission and distribution wires. Much like DSL in its early days, BPL has been subject to fits and starts since it flew onto the telecom industry’s radar screen at the beginning of the decade. Since then, there have been more fits than starts evidenced by the fact that there are only about 6,000 BPL-based broadband subscribers nationwide, according to FCC reports. Of course, lots of DSL- and cable modem-powered lines have been deployed since then, too, making BPL less appealing to some utilities that might have taken an initial interest in becoming broadband providers when this market was new, says Teresa Mastrangelo, principal analyst for broadbandtrends.com.
“Utilities are not highly competitive,” says Leif Ericson, business development manager for Southern Telecom, subsidiary of Southern Co., a super-regional energy concern in the Southeast. Southern conducted field trials of BPL for consumer broadband in 2004, but today the company is focusing its efforts on evaluating the technology from a core utility application perspective only, he adds.
Indeed, it appears to be turning out that, just like DSL, which needed the prodding of competition from MSOs deploying cable modem technology to overcome the fits and start for good, BPL is in need of a push. BPL got a boost in November when the FCC classified BPL as an interstate information service, rather than a telecommunications service. But the push that may get BPL rolling once and for all is the fact that electrical utilities are awakening to BPL’s potential to add intelligence, a.k.a. Smart Grid capability, to their networks, according to Joe Marsilii, president and CEO of BPL equipment maker and integrator MainNet Powerline Inc.
Since the Northeast Blackout of 2003, the London terrorist bombings of 2005 and 9/11, “there has been an enormous effort and focus on adding intelligence to the electric grid to avoid outages, cut costs and to support homeland security over power lines,” says Marsilii, “much more so today than when we launched our business in 2000.”
As a result, Marsilii predicts, 70 percent to 80 percent of the nation’s electrical grid will be equipped with BPL in five to eight years.
When it comes to actual deployment of BPL in the access portion of the network, all eyes currently are on CURRENT Technologies LLC, which recently began building a BPL access network to provide Smart Grid capability for Dallas-based utility TXU Corp. In addition to providing TXU with a means of monitoring, managing and maintaining its heretofore unintelligent electrical network, CURRENT will use the BPL equipment it installs to offer broadband services to more than 2 million TXU customers in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, according to Jay Birnbaum, vice president and general counsel for CURRENT.
CURRENT has been operating a much smaller BPL network that provides some Smart Grid capability and offering broadband service to 50,000 customers in cooperation with Cincinnati’s Duke Energy Corp. for the past two years. However, the main purpose of the TXU BPL deployment will be to provide a showcase for the nation’s utilities that enables them to see just what BPL can do for them in terms of Smart Grid, says Birnbaum.
“The biggest issue we have is getting utilities to decide to do something different,” says Birnbaum.
TXU has directed its electrical meter vendor to BPL-enable 400,000 meters for installation on the network, says Birnbaum, adding that many utilities have told CURRENT they would deploy BPL if CURRENT would show them a BPL-enabled electric meter. Birnbaum says he told each utility CURRENT could get that done in six months’ time, but first the utility would have to go to its meter company and tell them they would buy such a meter.
“That’s because, right now, meter companies want utilities to buy their wireless meter,” he explains. “So, why would they go into the BPL space and cannibalize their own business? We had that chicken-and-egg thing, and I think we are overcoming it. The biggest issue we face now is showing other utilities that are interested in BPL that we will be able to do what we said we were going to do in Texas.”
Because it has none of the trappings of a communications network, deploying BPL-based and Smart Grid technology means building a communications infrastructure — and the network management processes that go with Smart Grid — from scratch, says Birnbaum. All this ground-floor level work has to be done to get BPL moving.
“The hard part, hopefully, is over. Now we have the perfect test bed to show other utilities how Smart Grid works,” says Birnbaum.
CURRENT is hoping the TXU network creates a snowball effect. Once they see it working, state public utility commissions could start urging other utilities in Texas and across the nation to start deploying BPL, he says. In fact, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners recently passed a pro-BPL policy, he adds.
All of this is important to BPL for consumer/business broadband because only after BPL catches on with utilities for Smart Grid will third-party broadband providers such as CURRENT, or the utility companies themselves, begin using BPL-enabled electrical networks to deliver broadband services to consumers.
Source: http://www.xchangemag.com
Mitchell Lazarus, Lawyer Helps Make BROADBAND POWERLINE pass FCC approval !!!
Lawyer Helps Make High Tech Holidays Happen
Posted on : Wed, 27 Dec 2006
ARLINGTON, Va. Dec. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Technology topped many people's holiday gift lists this year. The efforts of talented designers, engineers and inventors deservedly get the credit for creating compelling technology. And while invention is what draws customers, it is not the only thing that makes the coolest hot gadgetry possible. Often, it is the unseen hand of a skilled attorney that provides the extra oomph required to make it possible for a great invention to become a great seller.
Many of the most compelling high tech gifts can be sold in the United States only if the FCC says they won't interfere with radio communications. Just about any computerized anything emits a low level radio signal. The FCC's engineering staff keeps a close watch. No one wants something on the market that could interfere with aircraft navigation or an ambulance radio call!
That's where an attorney experienced in resolving in FCC engineering issues can help -- someone like Mitchell Lazarus of Arlington, Virginia's Fletcher, Heald and Hildreth, P.L.C. Lazarus's 24 years of experience as an attorney are complemented by two engineering degrees. He also has experience educating some of the world's brightest engineering minds, during a stint on the teaching staff at MIT.
Through a combination of legal acumen, science and long experience with the FCC's people and processes, Lazarus has helped gain FCC approval for a host of certifiably hot technologies. Most notably, these days, Lazarus works with those seeking to provide Broadband over Power Lines (or "BPL"). BPL uses existing, nearly ubiquitous electric lines to deliver broadband Internet access even where it is uneconomical to lay new fiber. BPL can bridge the digital divide, so true broadband is available not just in the wired cores of cities and suburbs, but also in the great expanses of rural America. BPL means, if you have got a socket, you can get the best of the net.
As with many new and promising technologies, BPL has faced its share of detractors proffering technical or engineering excuses to keep it off the market. Each step along the way, Lazarus assisted the BPL industry to cut through the noise to gain eventual FCC approval for national BPL deployment. Only an appeals court decision can now stop BPL. And here, too, a combination of engineering and legal acumen will ultimately hold the key.
"The FCC's engineers are necessarily skeptical. That's their job. Technological innovations are like cats -- once let loose, they can be nearly impossible to corral," Lazarus said. "The key is to show the FCC's engineering staff how any potential harms to spectrum management efforts can managed and/or eliminated in a technically realistic way."
This is not the first time Lazarus has helped make high speed web surfing easier. He has also provided legal counsel when the most popular method for wireless internetworking -- so-called Wi-Fi "G" -- had its day before the FCC.
While it is the inspiration and perspiration of talented inventors, engineers and researchers that create what wows people, by helping these creators get through regulatory hurdles, lawyers like Mitchell Lazarus, more quietly, perhaps, help propel high tech holiday dazzlers the last mile to market.
Fletcher, Heald and Hildreth, P.L.C.
Posted on : Wed, 27 Dec 2006
ARLINGTON, Va. Dec. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Technology topped many people's holiday gift lists this year. The efforts of talented designers, engineers and inventors deservedly get the credit for creating compelling technology. And while invention is what draws customers, it is not the only thing that makes the coolest hot gadgetry possible. Often, it is the unseen hand of a skilled attorney that provides the extra oomph required to make it possible for a great invention to become a great seller.
Many of the most compelling high tech gifts can be sold in the United States only if the FCC says they won't interfere with radio communications. Just about any computerized anything emits a low level radio signal. The FCC's engineering staff keeps a close watch. No one wants something on the market that could interfere with aircraft navigation or an ambulance radio call!
That's where an attorney experienced in resolving in FCC engineering issues can help -- someone like Mitchell Lazarus of Arlington, Virginia's Fletcher, Heald and Hildreth, P.L.C. Lazarus's 24 years of experience as an attorney are complemented by two engineering degrees. He also has experience educating some of the world's brightest engineering minds, during a stint on the teaching staff at MIT.
Through a combination of legal acumen, science and long experience with the FCC's people and processes, Lazarus has helped gain FCC approval for a host of certifiably hot technologies. Most notably, these days, Lazarus works with those seeking to provide Broadband over Power Lines (or "BPL"). BPL uses existing, nearly ubiquitous electric lines to deliver broadband Internet access even where it is uneconomical to lay new fiber. BPL can bridge the digital divide, so true broadband is available not just in the wired cores of cities and suburbs, but also in the great expanses of rural America. BPL means, if you have got a socket, you can get the best of the net.
As with many new and promising technologies, BPL has faced its share of detractors proffering technical or engineering excuses to keep it off the market. Each step along the way, Lazarus assisted the BPL industry to cut through the noise to gain eventual FCC approval for national BPL deployment. Only an appeals court decision can now stop BPL. And here, too, a combination of engineering and legal acumen will ultimately hold the key.
"The FCC's engineers are necessarily skeptical. That's their job. Technological innovations are like cats -- once let loose, they can be nearly impossible to corral," Lazarus said. "The key is to show the FCC's engineering staff how any potential harms to spectrum management efforts can managed and/or eliminated in a technically realistic way."
This is not the first time Lazarus has helped make high speed web surfing easier. He has also provided legal counsel when the most popular method for wireless internetworking -- so-called Wi-Fi "G" -- had its day before the FCC.
While it is the inspiration and perspiration of talented inventors, engineers and researchers that create what wows people, by helping these creators get through regulatory hurdles, lawyers like Mitchell Lazarus, more quietly, perhaps, help propel high tech holiday dazzlers the last mile to market.
Fletcher, Heald and Hildreth, P.L.C.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
U.S. Department of Homeland Security to Deploy Telkonet iWire System(TM) in U.S. Airports
December 26, 2006
GERMANTOWN, Md.--(Business Wire)--Telkonet, Inc. (AMEX:TKO), the leader in providing powerline carrier (PLC) networking solutions using existing electrical wiring, today announced that the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration (TSA), in collaboration with the U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command Technology Integration Center, has successfully completed evaluation of the Telkonet's powerline networking platform. The Telkonet iWire System, which was approved for use, is scheduled for deployment within multiple Category II-IV airports starting in January 2007. Telkonet's enterprise IP-over-powerline system will be used to enable the rapid, cost-effective deployment of secure, high-speed network connectivity and other security applications to TSA-owned and operated workspaces within these airports.
Ronald W. Pickett, President and CEO of Telkonet, Inc. commented, "Telkonet has enjoyed enhanced awareness of its U.S. government-certified Telkonet iWire System platform in the federal and defense marketplace in recent months. This most recent win at DHS/TSA, which has been and will continue to be an important target for the Telkonet Government Systems team, represents a significant accomplishment for Telkonet as it further validates the value of the secure Telkonet platform in supporting homeland defense and security initiatives in the U.S. and abroad."
"As Telkonet Government Systems continues to grow its federal, state and local government customer base, we look forward to utilizing our industry-leading solution set, technology certifications and strategic partnerships to aggressively move the Telkonet product line into the mainstream government technology sector. Winning a place within the DHS/TSA core networking environment is a large and important step in the right direction and will provide a strong foundation from which to grow our channel program for IP-over-powerline focused-solutions and professional services," said John Vasilj, Vice President of Telkonet Government Systems.
Telkonet will be deploying its systems to help the TSA enhance communications between TSA field personnel and headquarters, support passenger and baggage screening personnel training and education in the field and provide a scalable network infrastructure for the introduction of other homeland security applications, as needed. These pilots, which Telkonet will begin installing in January, are the first part of a roll-out to potentially 380-plus airport deployments nationwide for which the TSA is planning to spend approximately $100 million as part of the multi-year High-Speed Operational Connectivity (Hi-SOC) program.
Pickett said, "The TSA's intention is to integrate the majority of its airport passenger and baggage systems and mission critical applications; from baggage/passenger screening (ETD/ETPs) and puffer machines that test for dangerous explosives and substances, to cameras at ticket counters and passport readers. We are currently negotiating with the appropriate DHS contract holders in preparation to respond to and win the forthcoming bid for the delivery of the next phase of the Hi-SOC program expected to be made public early next year."
GERMANTOWN, Md.--(Business Wire)--Telkonet, Inc. (AMEX:TKO), the leader in providing powerline carrier (PLC) networking solutions using existing electrical wiring, today announced that the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration (TSA), in collaboration with the U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command Technology Integration Center, has successfully completed evaluation of the Telkonet's powerline networking platform. The Telkonet iWire System, which was approved for use, is scheduled for deployment within multiple Category II-IV airports starting in January 2007. Telkonet's enterprise IP-over-powerline system will be used to enable the rapid, cost-effective deployment of secure, high-speed network connectivity and other security applications to TSA-owned and operated workspaces within these airports.
Ronald W. Pickett, President and CEO of Telkonet, Inc. commented, "Telkonet has enjoyed enhanced awareness of its U.S. government-certified Telkonet iWire System platform in the federal and defense marketplace in recent months. This most recent win at DHS/TSA, which has been and will continue to be an important target for the Telkonet Government Systems team, represents a significant accomplishment for Telkonet as it further validates the value of the secure Telkonet platform in supporting homeland defense and security initiatives in the U.S. and abroad."
"As Telkonet Government Systems continues to grow its federal, state and local government customer base, we look forward to utilizing our industry-leading solution set, technology certifications and strategic partnerships to aggressively move the Telkonet product line into the mainstream government technology sector. Winning a place within the DHS/TSA core networking environment is a large and important step in the right direction and will provide a strong foundation from which to grow our channel program for IP-over-powerline focused-solutions and professional services," said John Vasilj, Vice President of Telkonet Government Systems.
Telkonet will be deploying its systems to help the TSA enhance communications between TSA field personnel and headquarters, support passenger and baggage screening personnel training and education in the field and provide a scalable network infrastructure for the introduction of other homeland security applications, as needed. These pilots, which Telkonet will begin installing in January, are the first part of a roll-out to potentially 380-plus airport deployments nationwide for which the TSA is planning to spend approximately $100 million as part of the multi-year High-Speed Operational Connectivity (Hi-SOC) program.
Pickett said, "The TSA's intention is to integrate the majority of its airport passenger and baggage systems and mission critical applications; from baggage/passenger screening (ETD/ETPs) and puffer machines that test for dangerous explosives and substances, to cameras at ticket counters and passport readers. We are currently negotiating with the appropriate DHS contract holders in preparation to respond to and win the forthcoming bid for the delivery of the next phase of the Hi-SOC program expected to be made public early next year."
Ambient Corporation`s patent for Arrangement of Inductive coupler for power line communications is approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office !
United States Patent 7,154,382
Cern December 26, 2006
Arrangement of inductive couplers for data communication
Abstract
There is provided a system including (a) a first inductive coupler for coupling a data signal between a port of the first inductive coupler and a first subset of a plurality of electrically parallel conductors, and (b) a second inductive coupler for coupling the data signal between a port of the second inductive coupler and a second subset of the plurality of conductors. There are also provided methods for arranging such a system.
Inventors: Cern; Yehuda (Brookline, MA)
Assignee: Ambient Corporation (Newton, MA)
Appl. No.: 10/971,412
Filed: October 22, 2004
More on Ambient Corp. patents: Here
Cern December 26, 2006
Arrangement of inductive couplers for data communication
Abstract
There is provided a system including (a) a first inductive coupler for coupling a data signal between a port of the first inductive coupler and a first subset of a plurality of electrically parallel conductors, and (b) a second inductive coupler for coupling the data signal between a port of the second inductive coupler and a second subset of the plurality of conductors. There are also provided methods for arranging such a system.
Inventors: Cern; Yehuda (Brookline, MA)
Assignee: Ambient Corporation (Newton, MA)
Appl. No.: 10/971,412
Filed: October 22, 2004
More on Ambient Corp. patents: Here
Monday, December 25, 2006
Updates: Manassas' BPL Ok'd by FCC
By JACLYN PITTS
jpitts@manassasjm.com
Monday, December 25, 2006
The Federal Communications Commission has dismissed complaints by local amateur radio operators alleging that Manassas' broadband over powerline system interferes with their signals.
Many shortwave radio users, including amateur radio users, or "hams," have opposed BPL technology for its interference since its implementation in Manassas in 2003.
BPL radiates off power lines and can make certain short-wave radio frequencies inaudible.
In March, the Federal Communications Commission directed Manassas and Communication Technologies Inc. (COMTek), the city's BPL provider, to investigate these allegations and take steps to eliminate "harmful interference."
The FCC responded to Manassas' report on its progress in June and directed both the city and COMTek to further address interference issues and the system's non-compliance with FCC emission regulations.
In April, COMTek began updating its "grandfathered" equipment to the latest technology offered by BPL equipment supplier Main.Net. COMTek spokesman Scott Stapf said the company has begun upgrading about 600 overhead lines and plans to have the upgrade complete in early 2007.
In October, the FCC sent engineers to Manassas to coordinate with COMTek to test for interference in six areas of the city that were chosen based on their proximity to locations identified in the interference complaints, city attorney Bob Bendall said.
The FCC then made measurements and stated Dec. 14 that the system is "in compliance with the radiated emission limits" and dismissed the complaints.
"This is very good news for COMTek and for the city of Manassas," Stapf said.
George Tarnovsky, vice president for Ole Virginia Hams, a local ham radio group, said he thinks the "whole thing was mishandled," and still doesn't believe the results the FCC obtained.
Tarnovsky said the FCC was supposed to contact him and other ham radio operators to be present for the FCC's tests in October, but neither he nor any other hams ever heard from the commission, he said.
"I think we were dealt the wrong deal by the FCC," Tarnovsky said.
Tarnovsky said the fight is not over and that he and fellow hams plan to continue registering complaints.
Manassas became the first American municipality to implement the technology citywide in 2003.
By plugging a modem into any city electrical outlet, subscribers can get high-speed Internet access for about $29 per month, approximately half of what cable providers charge.
COMTek's BPL service runs through the city's power grid and has about 850 subscribers.
Source:
POTOMAC NEWS
jpitts@manassasjm.com
Monday, December 25, 2006
The Federal Communications Commission has dismissed complaints by local amateur radio operators alleging that Manassas' broadband over powerline system interferes with their signals.
Many shortwave radio users, including amateur radio users, or "hams," have opposed BPL technology for its interference since its implementation in Manassas in 2003.
BPL radiates off power lines and can make certain short-wave radio frequencies inaudible.
In March, the Federal Communications Commission directed Manassas and Communication Technologies Inc. (COMTek), the city's BPL provider, to investigate these allegations and take steps to eliminate "harmful interference."
The FCC responded to Manassas' report on its progress in June and directed both the city and COMTek to further address interference issues and the system's non-compliance with FCC emission regulations.
In April, COMTek began updating its "grandfathered" equipment to the latest technology offered by BPL equipment supplier Main.Net. COMTek spokesman Scott Stapf said the company has begun upgrading about 600 overhead lines and plans to have the upgrade complete in early 2007.
In October, the FCC sent engineers to Manassas to coordinate with COMTek to test for interference in six areas of the city that were chosen based on their proximity to locations identified in the interference complaints, city attorney Bob Bendall said.
The FCC then made measurements and stated Dec. 14 that the system is "in compliance with the radiated emission limits" and dismissed the complaints.
"This is very good news for COMTek and for the city of Manassas," Stapf said.
George Tarnovsky, vice president for Ole Virginia Hams, a local ham radio group, said he thinks the "whole thing was mishandled," and still doesn't believe the results the FCC obtained.
Tarnovsky said the FCC was supposed to contact him and other ham radio operators to be present for the FCC's tests in October, but neither he nor any other hams ever heard from the commission, he said.
"I think we were dealt the wrong deal by the FCC," Tarnovsky said.
Tarnovsky said the fight is not over and that he and fellow hams plan to continue registering complaints.
Manassas became the first American municipality to implement the technology citywide in 2003.
By plugging a modem into any city electrical outlet, subscribers can get high-speed Internet access for about $29 per month, approximately half of what cable providers charge.
COMTek's BPL service runs through the city's power grid and has about 850 subscribers.
Source:
POTOMAC NEWS
Thursday, December 21, 2006
FCC Approves Rules For Cable Franchise System
20 December 2006
By Corey Boles Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted in favor of new rules governing the franchise system that exists across the U.S. for new entrants seeking to providing television service to consumers.
The new rules are aimed at making it easier for potential competitors to enter the video market. They are particularly aimed at facilitating entry by telecommunication companies such as Verizon Communications (VZ) and AT&T Inc. (T), who are keen to expand their presence in the video market.
FCC commissioners voted 3-2 along party lines at the agency's monthly public meeting in favor of the new rules, which would impose a 90-day deadline on local governments to decide on whether to grant a new franchise.
They would also strike down requirements for new entrants to provide service to all residents in an area, known as buildout requirements.
The rules state that in most circumstances the existing standard that local authorities can't charge a fee more than the accepted 5% of gross revenues should be followed.
They would also prevent local governments from making demands of potential licensees, which are seen as being unreasonable or unconnected to the provision of video service.
Chairman Kevin Martin has been a keen supporter of the reforms and his fellow Republican commissioners Robert McDowell and Deborah Taylor Tate voted with him.
'American consumers are demanding even more competition, and this is the goal of our action today: more competition through deregulation,' said McDowell in supporting the new rules.
In his comments, Martin linked the spread of broadband Internet access across the country to that of video saying providers would be unwilling to offer broadband service unless they were also allowed to offered video service.
The so-called 'triple play' of offering video, broadband and landline services to consumers is widely seen as a lucrative market by both telecommunications and cable companies.
McDowell referred to future rules the FCC planned to bring forward within six months that would extend the new rules to incumbent players in the marketplace. Traditionally, cable licenses are granted for between 10 and 15 years, at which time they have to be renewed.
read more: FCC Approves Rules For Cable Franchise System
By Corey Boles Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted in favor of new rules governing the franchise system that exists across the U.S. for new entrants seeking to providing television service to consumers.
The new rules are aimed at making it easier for potential competitors to enter the video market. They are particularly aimed at facilitating entry by telecommunication companies such as Verizon Communications (VZ) and AT&T Inc. (T), who are keen to expand their presence in the video market.
FCC commissioners voted 3-2 along party lines at the agency's monthly public meeting in favor of the new rules, which would impose a 90-day deadline on local governments to decide on whether to grant a new franchise.
They would also strike down requirements for new entrants to provide service to all residents in an area, known as buildout requirements.
The rules state that in most circumstances the existing standard that local authorities can't charge a fee more than the accepted 5% of gross revenues should be followed.
They would also prevent local governments from making demands of potential licensees, which are seen as being unreasonable or unconnected to the provision of video service.
Chairman Kevin Martin has been a keen supporter of the reforms and his fellow Republican commissioners Robert McDowell and Deborah Taylor Tate voted with him.
'American consumers are demanding even more competition, and this is the goal of our action today: more competition through deregulation,' said McDowell in supporting the new rules.
In his comments, Martin linked the spread of broadband Internet access across the country to that of video saying providers would be unwilling to offer broadband service unless they were also allowed to offered video service.
The so-called 'triple play' of offering video, broadband and landline services to consumers is widely seen as a lucrative market by both telecommunications and cable companies.
McDowell referred to future rules the FCC planned to bring forward within six months that would extend the new rules to incumbent players in the marketplace. Traditionally, cable licenses are granted for between 10 and 15 years, at which time they have to be renewed.
read more: FCC Approves Rules For Cable Franchise System
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
FCC's Spectrum Enforcement Division dismissed interference complaints from 5 HAM operators against the BPL deployment by the City of Manassas & COMTek
FCC: MANASSAS COMPLAINT DISMISSED
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
The FCC's Spectrum Enforcement Division dismissed interference complaints from five amateur operators against the BPL deployment by the City of Manassas and COMTek. It found that emission measurements taken by the Commission on October 25-26, 2006 "demonstrate that the Manassas BPL system is in compliance with the radiated emission limits specified in Section 15.611(b) of the Commission's Rules at the two sites in areas we tested where emissions appear to be the highest. These measurements also demonstrate that the system is utilizing notches of 20 dB or more to protect the 7 MHz amateur band." The FCC had conducted tests in six areas that were chosen based on their proximity to locations identified in the interference complaints filed by the five amateur radio operations and drive-through monitoring of the system in test-mode. This is complete and total vindication for Manassas, which has been the target of pending complaints for two years. For more information, contact the UPLC Legal/Regulatory Department.
Source: www.UPLC.org
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
The FCC's Spectrum Enforcement Division dismissed interference complaints from five amateur operators against the BPL deployment by the City of Manassas and COMTek. It found that emission measurements taken by the Commission on October 25-26, 2006 "demonstrate that the Manassas BPL system is in compliance with the radiated emission limits specified in Section 15.611(b) of the Commission's Rules at the two sites in areas we tested where emissions appear to be the highest. These measurements also demonstrate that the system is utilizing notches of 20 dB or more to protect the 7 MHz amateur band." The FCC had conducted tests in six areas that were chosen based on their proximity to locations identified in the interference complaints filed by the five amateur radio operations and drive-through monitoring of the system in test-mode. This is complete and total vindication for Manassas, which has been the target of pending complaints for two years. For more information, contact the UPLC Legal/Regulatory Department.
Source: www.UPLC.org
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Broadband Power Line Winter Conference February 27-March 2, 2007: Everything from Smart Grid to Home Networking
Red Rock Casino - Resort - Spa
Las Vegas, NV
Monday, December 18, 2006
Telkonet installs iWire System(TM) at Electric Substations using existing electrical wiring for monitoring and automation !!!
Telkonet Installs the Telkonet iWire System(TM) at Electric Substations for Four Major Public Utilities
Monday December 18, 12:55 pm ET
Telkonet Energy Services in Active Negotiations with 10 Other Utilities in 10 States
GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Telkonet, Inc. (AMEX:TKO - News), the leader in providing powerline carrier (PLC) networking solutions using existing electrical wiring, today announced that it has installed the Telkonet iWire System at substations owned by four major US public utilities.
Telkonet Energy Services (TES), launched in July, deployed the Telkonet iWire System to monitor the performance and activities of the substations. The system uses the existing electrical wiring inside the substation to deliver the monitoring data. The data can be transmitted remotely to any location via a high-speed Internet connection. Monitoring the data enables the substations to maintain the stability of the electric grid and efficiently manage the energy supply. TES is in active negotiations with 10 additional utilities across 10 states.
Ron Pickett, President and CEO of Telkonet said, "Our initial experience working with public utilities has created a sales cycle measured in just months. We are extremely pleased that TES has sold and installed products so quickly after announcing our utility solution. An average size substation requires 10 monitoring devices, representing a manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of approximately $5,000 of Telkonet equipment. We have great expectations for the utility sector, as there are an estimated 70,000 substations in North America."
Ron Pickett added, "TES is also negotiating a contract with a master channel partner that will accelerate sales and deployment of the Telkonet iWire System to the nation's utilities."
The substation monitoring and automation market offers TES a large market with substantial potential. Newton-Evans Research Company estimates the current annual global spending for substation automation and integration programs at about $550-600 million, with an overall potential market size of nearly $40 billion. The Newton-Evans year-end 2005 study has found that 76% of the North American utility respondents indicated having a substation automation and integration strategy in place.
Source: Yahoo Finance
Monday December 18, 12:55 pm ET
Telkonet Energy Services in Active Negotiations with 10 Other Utilities in 10 States
GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Telkonet, Inc. (AMEX:TKO - News), the leader in providing powerline carrier (PLC) networking solutions using existing electrical wiring, today announced that it has installed the Telkonet iWire System at substations owned by four major US public utilities.
Telkonet Energy Services (TES), launched in July, deployed the Telkonet iWire System to monitor the performance and activities of the substations. The system uses the existing electrical wiring inside the substation to deliver the monitoring data. The data can be transmitted remotely to any location via a high-speed Internet connection. Monitoring the data enables the substations to maintain the stability of the electric grid and efficiently manage the energy supply. TES is in active negotiations with 10 additional utilities across 10 states.
Ron Pickett, President and CEO of Telkonet said, "Our initial experience working with public utilities has created a sales cycle measured in just months. We are extremely pleased that TES has sold and installed products so quickly after announcing our utility solution. An average size substation requires 10 monitoring devices, representing a manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of approximately $5,000 of Telkonet equipment. We have great expectations for the utility sector, as there are an estimated 70,000 substations in North America."
Ron Pickett added, "TES is also negotiating a contract with a master channel partner that will accelerate sales and deployment of the Telkonet iWire System to the nation's utilities."
The substation monitoring and automation market offers TES a large market with substantial potential. Newton-Evans Research Company estimates the current annual global spending for substation automation and integration programs at about $550-600 million, with an overall potential market size of nearly $40 billion. The Newton-Evans year-end 2005 study has found that 76% of the North American utility respondents indicated having a substation automation and integration strategy in place.
Source: Yahoo Finance
Sunday, December 17, 2006
The New York Times Interview of James E. Rogers, president and chief executive of Duke Energy- How broadband- B.P.L.- improve the quality of the grid?
December 17, 2006
Armchair M.B.A.
How to Untangle the Power Grid, Digitally
By WILLIAM J. HOLSTEIN
IF some new technologies take hold, the grid that carries America’s electricity from one state to another and into the home will soon be much more efficient, says James E. Rogers, president and chief executive of Duke Energy. Here are excerpts from an interview:
Q. How advanced is the grid that carries American electricity right now?
A. It’s a technology we’ve been using for many decades. But as the technology evolves, we’re going to be able to move it from an analog grid to more of a digital grid, almost from a “dumb” grid to a smart one.
Digital will allow us to monitor a lot of points in the system from a central point, which you can’t today. It’s kind of like fine-tuning or focusing in on a spot or a target. That’s better than how the grid operates today. And we lose somewhere between 8 and 9 percent of the electricity we produce on the grid. That’s called line loss. As we develop our capability to operate the grid, it will be a step in the direction of allowing us to try to reduce the amount of line loss. That’s a lot of energy.
Q. How would new technology that enables Internet access over power lines — broadband over the power line, or B.P.L., — improve the quality of the grid?
A. It could increase our ability to detect faults in the system. It could allow us to have greater security at substations because we could detect things with real-time cameras and other security devices even if there were no personnel there. So there is an energy security benefit. There is also the ability to restore service after outages because we can detect problems more clearly. Ultimately, we want the capability to use electricity meters in conjunction with B.P.L. and convert the meter into the gateway for information rather than using it just for billing. The smarter the grid, the smarter the consumer and the more efficiency you’ll have over all. The consumer could control his or her usage.
Q. Could a smarter system monitor energy use in homes to avoid blackouts or brownouts?
A. The ability to remotely control things like air-conditioners and refrigerators would give us the ability to manage that and curtail use, or “shave the peak,” during peak periods and use less energy. That means you don’t have to build as many power plants to serve the peak load. The way I think of it is, the most efficient plant you ever build is the one you don’t build. And the most environmentally friendly plant is the one you don’t build.
Q. How does broadband over the power line give consumers an Internet connection?
A. The signal moves down the copper in the line. The technological challenge has been, how do you get the signal around the transformer, which is the device that converts the electricity to a different voltage. But now it has evolved to the point that you can use radio signals to bypass a transformer. You can get the information back on the wire. Then it goes into the home and then you can access it from any room where you have an electrical outlet.
Q. Would electricity companies be in position to compete against phone and cable companies?
A. We’d have the ability to compete with cable and telecom companies to provide Internet service. But the primary reason we’re doing this is not to compete with them. The more important goal is to use this technology to create a smarter grid.
Q. Many companies, including your own, are beginning to deploy broadband over power line technology in limited areas. Where are you using it?
A. We’re in the process of testing it. We are deploying a technology in Ohio, in the Cincinnati area, that comes from Current Communications. And we’re using another B.P.L. technology in the Carolinas because each has a slightly different capability. That comes from a company called the Ambient Corporation.
Q. When will average consumers throughout the country start feeling the impact of this technology?
A. I think over the next three to five years. It’s evolving around the country at a different pace.
Q. If this worked out as planned, what would this mean for overall American energy consumption?
A. It means we’ll build fewer power plants. That will reduce costs. Secondly, it means our environmental footprint will be smaller. So consumers benefit from a cost standpoint and from an environmental perspective.
Q. What are other implications?
A. One of our greater challenges is providing reliability. Secondly, we need to reduce costs because we’re in a period of rising prices. For the first time in a decade and a half, the cost of electricity is going up in real terms, not just nominal. The third thing is that as we look out into the future, we see more demand for electricity. Plasma televisions, for example, use two and a half times more electricity than a regular TV. Our society is becoming more electrified. We need to find a way to manage the growth in demand for electricity.
Q. Would a smarter grid mean that when storms hit and power is knocked out, service could be restored faster?
A. It could translate into being able to restore service faster. Sometimes you don’t know exactly where the outage is. Once you have a digital system, you can identify it right away. That will help.
William J. Holstein is editor in chief of Directorship magazine.
Source: How to Untangle the Power Grid, Digitally
Armchair M.B.A.
How to Untangle the Power Grid, Digitally
By WILLIAM J. HOLSTEIN
IF some new technologies take hold, the grid that carries America’s electricity from one state to another and into the home will soon be much more efficient, says James E. Rogers, president and chief executive of Duke Energy. Here are excerpts from an interview:
Q. How advanced is the grid that carries American electricity right now?
A. It’s a technology we’ve been using for many decades. But as the technology evolves, we’re going to be able to move it from an analog grid to more of a digital grid, almost from a “dumb” grid to a smart one.
Digital will allow us to monitor a lot of points in the system from a central point, which you can’t today. It’s kind of like fine-tuning or focusing in on a spot or a target. That’s better than how the grid operates today. And we lose somewhere between 8 and 9 percent of the electricity we produce on the grid. That’s called line loss. As we develop our capability to operate the grid, it will be a step in the direction of allowing us to try to reduce the amount of line loss. That’s a lot of energy.
Q. How would new technology that enables Internet access over power lines — broadband over the power line, or B.P.L., — improve the quality of the grid?
A. It could increase our ability to detect faults in the system. It could allow us to have greater security at substations because we could detect things with real-time cameras and other security devices even if there were no personnel there. So there is an energy security benefit. There is also the ability to restore service after outages because we can detect problems more clearly. Ultimately, we want the capability to use electricity meters in conjunction with B.P.L. and convert the meter into the gateway for information rather than using it just for billing. The smarter the grid, the smarter the consumer and the more efficiency you’ll have over all. The consumer could control his or her usage.
Q. Could a smarter system monitor energy use in homes to avoid blackouts or brownouts?
A. The ability to remotely control things like air-conditioners and refrigerators would give us the ability to manage that and curtail use, or “shave the peak,” during peak periods and use less energy. That means you don’t have to build as many power plants to serve the peak load. The way I think of it is, the most efficient plant you ever build is the one you don’t build. And the most environmentally friendly plant is the one you don’t build.
Q. How does broadband over the power line give consumers an Internet connection?
A. The signal moves down the copper in the line. The technological challenge has been, how do you get the signal around the transformer, which is the device that converts the electricity to a different voltage. But now it has evolved to the point that you can use radio signals to bypass a transformer. You can get the information back on the wire. Then it goes into the home and then you can access it from any room where you have an electrical outlet.
Q. Would electricity companies be in position to compete against phone and cable companies?
A. We’d have the ability to compete with cable and telecom companies to provide Internet service. But the primary reason we’re doing this is not to compete with them. The more important goal is to use this technology to create a smarter grid.
Q. Many companies, including your own, are beginning to deploy broadband over power line technology in limited areas. Where are you using it?
A. We’re in the process of testing it. We are deploying a technology in Ohio, in the Cincinnati area, that comes from Current Communications. And we’re using another B.P.L. technology in the Carolinas because each has a slightly different capability. That comes from a company called the Ambient Corporation.
Q. When will average consumers throughout the country start feeling the impact of this technology?
A. I think over the next three to five years. It’s evolving around the country at a different pace.
Q. If this worked out as planned, what would this mean for overall American energy consumption?
A. It means we’ll build fewer power plants. That will reduce costs. Secondly, it means our environmental footprint will be smaller. So consumers benefit from a cost standpoint and from an environmental perspective.
Q. What are other implications?
A. One of our greater challenges is providing reliability. Secondly, we need to reduce costs because we’re in a period of rising prices. For the first time in a decade and a half, the cost of electricity is going up in real terms, not just nominal. The third thing is that as we look out into the future, we see more demand for electricity. Plasma televisions, for example, use two and a half times more electricity than a regular TV. Our society is becoming more electrified. We need to find a way to manage the growth in demand for electricity.
Q. Would a smarter grid mean that when storms hit and power is knocked out, service could be restored faster?
A. It could translate into being able to restore service faster. Sometimes you don’t know exactly where the outage is. Once you have a digital system, you can identify it right away. That will help.
William J. Holstein is editor in chief of Directorship magazine.
Source: How to Untangle the Power Grid, Digitally
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Phone, cable companies to battle in 2007
By BRUCE MEYERSON, AP Business Writer
Sat Dec 16, 12:58 AM ET
NEW YORK - Vonage tanked after its IPO. It's not entirely clear anymore why eBay paid $2.6 billion for Skype. And the long-awaited rollout of advanced TV services based on Internet technologies has resembled the drip of a faucet.
It wasn't a banner year for some of the biggest names in Internet Protocol, the technical standard that makes the Web hum. But the technology itself continued to blossom, with newer innovations picking away at every corner of the telecommunications business, from voice to video to wireless.
No doubt the main event for 2007 will be the impending smack-down between the traditional phone and cable TV industries. The regional Bell companies, after losing millions of customers to rival phone services from cable providers in 2006, are just starting to ramp up their risky push into TV.
Read more: Phone, cable companies to battle in 2007
Sat Dec 16, 12:58 AM ET
NEW YORK - Vonage tanked after its IPO. It's not entirely clear anymore why eBay paid $2.6 billion for Skype. And the long-awaited rollout of advanced TV services based on Internet technologies has resembled the drip of a faucet.
It wasn't a banner year for some of the biggest names in Internet Protocol, the technical standard that makes the Web hum. But the technology itself continued to blossom, with newer innovations picking away at every corner of the telecommunications business, from voice to video to wireless.
No doubt the main event for 2007 will be the impending smack-down between the traditional phone and cable TV industries. The regional Bell companies, after losing millions of customers to rival phone services from cable providers in 2006, are just starting to ramp up their risky push into TV.
Read more: Phone, cable companies to battle in 2007
Friday, December 15, 2006
Alert: BPL blog counter hits 30,000+ Unique site Visitors today !!!
Last September 19, 2006:
BPL blog counter hits 20,000+ visitors.
Thanks for your continnued support !!!
BPL blog counter hits 20,000+ visitors.
Thanks for your continnued support !!!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Review: Netgear's Powerline Adapter Offers An Alternative To Wireless
The Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter HDX101 lets you use your home electrical system to create a network when wireless doesn't work.
By Barbara Krasnoff
InformationWeek
Dec 13, 2006 12:31 PM
Sometimes wireless actually means Internet-less. The structure of a building can interfere with a WiFi signal to the point that it can slow throughput, cause frequent interruptions, or prevent any connection whatsoever.
Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter HDX101
Until recently, there wasn't much you could do to remedy the situation short of hardwiring your house -- and if you live in a rented apartment, or if you don't want to start drilling holes in your ceiling, you could have a real problem. There's now an alternative: Recent developments in BPL (Broadband over Power Lines) have resulted in products such as the Netgear Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter HDX101. These devices offer connectivity through home electrical systems -- you connect one adapter to your router or network switch, connect another to your computer's Ethernet port, and plug both into nearby 110-volt AC outlets. That's it -- no other setup is usually needed.
I decided to test the HDX101 with a home computer that used an 802.11g wireless network to communicate with a router on the floor below. Because of the structure of the house, the connection varied from good to weak; the biggest problem was with a VoIP phone service where voice quality was usually miserable and calls were often lost in midstream.
The HDX101 adapters are not large -- each is about the size of a desk of cards and has three status LEDs that indicate power, network status, and network traffic. It is strongly recommended by the manufacturer that you don't connect the device to a power strip, extension cord, or surge protector -- this means that you may have to dedicate an outlet to the HDX101, since it could get in the way of other plugs. (On the other hand, I plugged the review unit into the lower socket of an outlet, and was still able to use the upper.)
Installation of the two HDX101 units was frighteningly easy; it took less time than it takes to describe the process. The improvement was immediate -- Web surfing was perceivably faster, especially when it came to video viewing. As for the VoIP, that went from being unusable to reliable -- there were no more call interruptions, sound quality became quite good, and I was actually able to use the service for important calls without bringing out my lucky rabbit's foot.
The Powerline HD Ethernet Adapter HDX101 comes with a six-foot Ethernet cable and a configuration utility on a CD (for households that have other Ethernet devices on the electrical system) .
This isn't an inexpensive solution -- the HDX101 sells as a single unit for $75-$88, and the HDXB101 two-unit kit can be found for $140-$200. However, if you're struggling with an inadequate wireless network and can't run Ethernet cabling, the Powerline adapters are a great alternative.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
SKYPE Unlimited Calling website- Now a full year of unlimited calls to anyone on any phone within the US and Canada for just $14.95/Year !!!
Got Broadband internet access? Skype now offers $14.95 ONLY PER YEAR--- UNLIMITED calls from PC-TO-ANY U.S. PHONES/CELLPHONES !!!
This is great for VOIP USERS and consumers!!!
New Jersey School District- Hamilton Township Schools Expand Online Learning via Broadband over Powerlines
Telkonet Delivers Cutting-Edge Mobile Computing Environment to New Jersey School District
Wednesday December 13, 10:11 am ET
Hamilton Township Schools Expand Online Learning via Broadband over Powerlines
GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Telkonet, Inc. (AMEX:TKO - News), the leader in providing powerline carrier (PLC) networking solutions using existing electrical wiring, today announced that it has successfully completed the initial deployment of the company's powerline networking platform within multiple K-12 schools in New Jersey's Hamilton Township School District located in Mercer County.
Telkonet now delivers mobile networking connectivity to Crockett, Grice and Reynolds Middle Schools, which have over 1,000 students combined. The school district budget is approximately $160 million for its enrollment of approximately 13,900 students in 24 schools. Telkonet expects to complete the deployment of its powerline-enabled mobile computing environment within the remaining 21 Hamilton Township community schools sometime in mid-2007.
Telkonet's enterprise IP-over-powerline system, coupled with a newly developed mobile computing lab, is now being used to expand the reach of in-school and remote online learning, quickly and easily deploy new curriculum programs, and support the use of school administration management tools wherever electrical outlets are located.
Ronald W. Pickett, President and CEO of Telkonet, commented, "Since Telkonet's founding, I have viewed the public education system as a significant benefactor of Telkonet's broadband over powerline solution set as it can rapidly, securely and affordably enable the upgrade of communications infrastructure throughout thousands of America's public schools with minimal effort. Enabled by the Telkonet iWire System(TM) platform, schools throughout the U.S. need not settle for IP networks in isolated computer labs, but rather, can effectively provide data, voice and video solutions at every electrical outlet, in every room, on every floor of every school. Working with Hamilton Township and similar school districts in the U.S., Telkonet will continue to support the development and delivery of mobile and scalable powerline-enabled computing environments where students, teachers and school administrators can quickly gain access to online tools via the network infrastructure that is already in place and operating, the school's existing electrical system."
Andrew Eberhardt, Hamilton Township School District Technology Director said, "Every technology that we considered for the School District to connect our students, teachers and administrators to the Internet was plagued with serious shortcomings. However, with the revolutionary Telkonet system, we were able to overcome significant physical and budgetary constraints to deliver a superb mobile computing environment to students, teachers and administrators throughout several schools in the District. Classrooms can now enjoy continuous access to a wide range of digital resources for teaching and learning including new instructional applications and expanded research opportunities all via existing electrical wiring. We look forward to continuing to work with Telkonet to deploy this unique solution throughout the remainder of our system."
In addition to the Hamilton Township School District, Telkonet is actively negotiating similar deployments with school districts in Illinois, Florida and Texas. The successful beta test now opens up a vast market for Telkonet. The education market operates under several constraints that favor the Telkonet iWire System over wireless and traditional wire line solutions, including the fact that school districts are very cost-conscious and the expense of rewiring older school buildings is extremely prohibitive. Telkonet's technology transforms a building's internal electrical wiring into a broadband network platform with minimal disruption and cost. A system can be delivered for an average of $300-500 per seat in a matter of days. With over 17,000 public school districts in the United States, some much larger than Hamilton Township, and adding in private and parochial schools, Telkonet's Government Systems team will continue to focus considerable effort to address the extensive potential of this market by offering the unique service nationwide.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Newly approved Ambient Corp. Patent: Arrangement of daisy chained inductive couplers for data communication
United States Patent 7,148,799
Cern , et al. December 12, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrangement of daisy chained inductive couplers for data communication
Abstract
There is provided an arrangement of inductive couplers. The arrangement includes a first inductive coupler on a conductor, and a second inductive coupler on the conductor. The first inductive coupler has a first winding for a data signal, and the second inductive coupler has a second winding for the data signal. The arrangement also includes a connection module that connects the first winding to the second winding.
Source: U.S. Patent Office
More Ambient Corp. BPL patents found
here
Monday, December 11, 2006
BPL Global Expands European Presence thru acquisition of France-based Euro Connect
Monday December 11, 8:30 am ET
BPL Global Acquires Euro Connect to Grow and Strengthen Leadership Position in Europe by Accelerating Smart Grid Development and Adding a Managed Services Offering
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- BPL Global(TM), Ltd., an international leader in "Smart Grid" technologies and broadband services over power lines (BPL), announced today its acquisition of Euro Connect SA. Through the terms of the deal, the Euro Connect team will continue as a reliable broadband service and solution provider to existing customers in Europe and Africa. BPL Global will accelerate business development in Europe, the largest consumer market in the world. This acquisition is the next step in the company's global expansion strategy. Pascal Julienne, CEO of Euro Connect, is appointed Executive Director BPL Global Europe. The Euro Connect headquarters outside of Paris in Le Mans, France will become the European headquarters of BPL Global.
More: BPL Global Expands European Presence
BPL Global Acquires Euro Connect to Grow and Strengthen Leadership Position in Europe by Accelerating Smart Grid Development and Adding a Managed Services Offering
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- BPL Global(TM), Ltd., an international leader in "Smart Grid" technologies and broadband services over power lines (BPL), announced today its acquisition of Euro Connect SA. Through the terms of the deal, the Euro Connect team will continue as a reliable broadband service and solution provider to existing customers in Europe and Africa. BPL Global will accelerate business development in Europe, the largest consumer market in the world. This acquisition is the next step in the company's global expansion strategy. Pascal Julienne, CEO of Euro Connect, is appointed Executive Director BPL Global Europe. The Euro Connect headquarters outside of Paris in Le Mans, France will become the European headquarters of BPL Global.
More: BPL Global Expands European Presence
Current Communications BPL offers Special Holiday Services and pricing promo on their website !!!
Currnet Communication: Choose from one of our SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFERS.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Check the Access BPL Database listing results !!!
Access all the Information for Every BPL System
===> HERE <===
===> HERE <===
Friday, December 08, 2006
BPL OFFERS COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES AND LONG TERM ENERGY RELIABILITY, SAYS EXPERT STUDY
Washington, DC – United Telecom Council’s (UTC’s) newly released research study, Opportunities for Electric Utilities: Broadband over Power Lines 2006, offers expert information on the market for Broadband over Power Line (BPL) development as it approaches a critical juncture in both large-scale commercial deployments and smart-grid applications. UTC, together with its affiliate United Power Line Council (UPLC) and consulting firm SHS Technologies, examines these opportunities and presents the most complete, accurate and up-to-date information about the state of this industry in this report. Findings show BPL not only as an excellent means to providing commercial services, but also an effective way for utilities to better manage their distribution grids.
The study – the fifth report on BPL by UTC - ties BPL into broader energy industry opportunities and issues such as utility reliability, broadband competition and submarket potential including in-building and next-generation infrastructure. Unlike other offerings, this report gathers information directly from the field, from specific technology providers as well as from UTC’s and UPLC’s membership base of both utilities and vendors. As a result, Opportunities for Electric Utilities: Broadband over Power Lines 2006, provides enlightened and specific recommendations based on real-life trends.
Findings
Once clarity is achieved on BPL standards and regulatory issues, BPL will move forward rapidly in North America, based upon the following factors:
Interoperability between vendors based on industry standards;
Increasing BPL operations providing commercial services to selected communities through telecommunications partners;
Development of a stand-alone, smart-grid applications business model;
More BPL trials/operations providing smart-grid applications;
Longer-range BPL equipment design for smart-grid services and rural areas;
Development of grid automation/intelligent grid projects using BPL large utilities;
Widespread use of BPL for in-building data networks;
Widespread use of BPL for home networking of communications, computing and entertainment systems.
The most striking conclusion of the study is that BPL will serve as a near term solution for some of the nation’s long-term energy policy objectives, such as the energy independence and electric reliability that policymakers hope to achieve by 2010. The report concludes that BPL is a possible “perfect solution” for load management, particularly when pulling double duty for other smart-grid applications such as remote monitoring and predictive maintenance. As such, UTC recommends that utilities plan the automation of their distribution system and the selection of a communications system as a single integrated project, rather than implementing a series of unconnected “islands of automation”. In this scenario, BPL has a secure place in the future of utility communications, whether as a stand-alone system or used in conjunction with other traditional and emerging technologies such as fiber optic and wireless systems.
For more information about the report or to order your copy, contact UTC Research at research@utc.org or 202.872.0030.
The study – the fifth report on BPL by UTC - ties BPL into broader energy industry opportunities and issues such as utility reliability, broadband competition and submarket potential including in-building and next-generation infrastructure. Unlike other offerings, this report gathers information directly from the field, from specific technology providers as well as from UTC’s and UPLC’s membership base of both utilities and vendors. As a result, Opportunities for Electric Utilities: Broadband over Power Lines 2006, provides enlightened and specific recommendations based on real-life trends.
Findings
Once clarity is achieved on BPL standards and regulatory issues, BPL will move forward rapidly in North America, based upon the following factors:
Interoperability between vendors based on industry standards;
Increasing BPL operations providing commercial services to selected communities through telecommunications partners;
Development of a stand-alone, smart-grid applications business model;
More BPL trials/operations providing smart-grid applications;
Longer-range BPL equipment design for smart-grid services and rural areas;
Development of grid automation/intelligent grid projects using BPL large utilities;
Widespread use of BPL for in-building data networks;
Widespread use of BPL for home networking of communications, computing and entertainment systems.
The most striking conclusion of the study is that BPL will serve as a near term solution for some of the nation’s long-term energy policy objectives, such as the energy independence and electric reliability that policymakers hope to achieve by 2010. The report concludes that BPL is a possible “perfect solution” for load management, particularly when pulling double duty for other smart-grid applications such as remote monitoring and predictive maintenance. As such, UTC recommends that utilities plan the automation of their distribution system and the selection of a communications system as a single integrated project, rather than implementing a series of unconnected “islands of automation”. In this scenario, BPL has a secure place in the future of utility communications, whether as a stand-alone system or used in conjunction with other traditional and emerging technologies such as fiber optic and wireless systems.
For more information about the report or to order your copy, contact UTC Research at research@utc.org or 202.872.0030.
World leader in Broadband PowerLine Communication- DS2 at Booth #25907 at CES 2007 !!!
CES 2007
Las Vegas, US: 8-11 January 2006
Previous article: AMBIENT uses DS2 BPL technology which is Ham-friendly
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Entergy Corp.(NYSE: ETR) to trial BROADBAND over POWER LINE with Ambient Corp. to Pilot Smart Grid and Triple-Play services !!!
Entergy enters BPL world with Ambient pilot
December 5, 2006
BPL Today exclusive report
Triple play (WEB, streaming VIDEO, VOIP) & smart grid to be demoed
Most BPL deployments worldwide have been -- and the few big ones started with -- a tire-kicking technology trial.
Entergy's long anticipated foray into the BPL world is such a trial deployment with BPL technology firm Ambient.
...
Entergy's big
Entergy is a Fortune 500 firm serving power to about 2.7 million customers in Arkansas, New Orleans and throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
Click for full article: here
Related post: Entergy Corp.(NYSE: ETR) Enters BPL World with Ambient Corp. to Pilot Smart Grid and Triple-Play services !!!
December 5, 2006
BPL Today exclusive report
Triple play (WEB, streaming VIDEO, VOIP) & smart grid to be demoed
Most BPL deployments worldwide have been -- and the few big ones started with -- a tire-kicking technology trial.
Entergy's long anticipated foray into the BPL world is such a trial deployment with BPL technology firm Ambient.
...
Entergy's big
Entergy is a Fortune 500 firm serving power to about 2.7 million customers in Arkansas, New Orleans and throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
Click for full article: here
Related post: Entergy Corp.(NYSE: ETR) Enters BPL World with Ambient Corp. to Pilot Smart Grid and Triple-Play services !!!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Entergy Corp.(NYSE: ETR) Enters BPL World with Ambient Corp. to Pilot Smart Grid and Triple-Play services !!!
Source: www.BPLTODAY.COM
12/05/2006
Entergy enters BPL world with Ambient pilot
Most BPL deployments worldwide have been -- and the few big ones started with -- a tire-kicking technology trial. Entergy's long anticipated foray into the BPL world is such a trial deployment with BPL technology firm Ambient ...
/24-7PressRelease/ - WASHINGTON, DC, December 14, 2006 -- Most BPL deployments worldwide have been -- and the few big ones started with -- a tire-kicking technology trial. Entergy's long anticipated foray into the BPL world is such a trial deployment with BPL technology firm Ambient.
Anticipated? The firm sent a team of engineers to just about every BPL conference we've covered. Despite the utility's limited initial commitment, the IOU's decision to move ahead after so many of its peers have taken a wait and see attitude supports the premise that BPL really is ready for prime time.
If BPL technology was basically flawed -- as some still seem to believe -- a firm as well informed about BPL as Entergy would arguably be unlikely to invest money and time in a deployment.
But then why is the firm starting with just a toe in the water? It may be excruciating for high-speed technology companies to accept -- but this is how big utilities work. Theirs is usually a long, slow decision process with many hurdles.
The BPL industry may have only just recently reached a point where one firm or another can handle an IOU-sized, footprint-wide order for gear. Vanguards in the US such as TXU, CenterPoint, Duke and the first big US utility to believe in BPL, Cinergy (now merged with Duke), pushed ahead -- but those few haven't triggered a landslide of band-wagoneers.
Around the globe, the big deployments are still too few to create much efficiency in the manufacturing supply chain. Yet the message seems to be sinking in. BPL is for real and it just takes some convincing up the ranks to get it going.
We believe that other 21st century grid technologies being installed now -- such as wireless AMR systems -- are a stopgap and will ultimately be replaced with BPL/fiber/line-of-site fixed wireless hybrid networks with very little reliance on wireless on the outer edge of the networks.
Why? Wireless is fun -- and we mean that professionally -- but it's often saddled with problems that utilities won't want to mess around with long term. BPL is reported again and again to be the most affordable and robust network medium under most network arrangements.
Entergy and Ambient engineers plan to show the IOU's own executives and the rest of the utility industry what the latest technology can do.
Entergy's big
Entergy is a Fortune 500 firm serving power to about 2.7 million customers in Arkansas, New Orleans and throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. It's an integrated energy firm with about 30,000 megawatts of generation capacity and it's the second largest nuclear generator in the US.
The IOU's revenue is up near the top three utilities in the US for 2005 as listed at the Energy Information Administration's website. Entergy's utilities are listed separately in the EIA list but added up total US$7.5 billion.
Southern California Edison ($9.4 billion), Pacific Gas & Electric ($9.2 billion) and Florida Power & Light ($9.1 billion) top the list (www.eia.doe.gov/neic/rankings/revenue.htm).
The Entergy pilot will begin during the fourth quarter of this year, said Ambient, and will last six months at Entergy's West Markham office in Little Rock, Ark. Ambient will support Entergy in the design, management and maintenance of the BPL network. Entergy will make its substation and distribution facilities available to provide the power line links.
Doing triple-play?
The pilot will show off what BPL can do to enable the 21st century grid -- but triple play applications are planned, too, Ambient reported. "Entergy [is] one of the nation's most innovative electricity utility providers," said Ambient CEO John Joyce, who's been outspoken about his pickiness of utility partners.
To date Duke Power in Charlotte, NC, and Consolidated Edison in New York have been Ambient's leading utility partners. "We value the opportunity to work with utilities such as Entergy -- that validate the technology for further consideration of deploying -- for the purpose of better serving their customers.
"Ambient continues to work closely with select utilities to ensure the potential growth opportunities for Ambient and the industry in 2007 and beyond." BPL creates a two-way communications network with "the potential to change how a utility operates," reminded Ambient.
That means not just reading meters remotely but advanced metering capabilities. Those include real-time meter reads, locating outages before customers call and proactively monitoring the distribution system to find failing or over-burdened equipment before it causes outages.
Those applications "have significant benefits for utilities," Ambient reminded. "Our objectives in this pilot are to test the technology and its capabilities, validate the economics of deploying BPL and test the ability to use this technology to locate power outages, read electric meters and do remote switching of distribution equipment," explained Peter Lendrum, Entergy's vice president of sales and marketing.
"Ambient was selected after a thorough review process of the different BPL technologies available in the marketplace today.
"We felt Ambient's solution has some potential and are looking forward to appraising the results of this pilot program," he added. "Ambient is very selective in the utilities we choose to work with," said Ram Rao, CTO of Ambient. "Entergy's selection of a rural area for validating our technology was very important to us.
"To demonstrate the viability of bringing BPL to rural communities is a great opportunity.
"Ambient uses the very latest notching technology in its 2nd-generation products to mitigate any potential harmful interference to licensed spectrum users such as the amateur radio operators.
"We understand this is an important issue. We have and intend to continue to ensure we address all issues that arise," reported Rao. Ambient commended "Entergy and its utility partners for showing such progressive thinking by exploring BPL for smart grid applications as they migrate to next-generation distribution systems."
Ambient is a UPA member, the firm reminded, and its headquarters are in Newton, Mass.
For more information, please visit http://www.bpltoday.com/247press.html
Entergy Corporation
- a Fortune 500 firm serving power to about 2.7 million custumers in ARKANSAS, NEW ORLEANS and throughout LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI and TEXAS.
NEC Affiliate to Launch Corporate-Use PLC Modem- boasts a speed of up to 200 megabits per second
NEC Affiliate to Launch Corporate-Use PLC Modem
Tokyo, Dec. 4 (Jiji Press)--NEC Corp. said Monday that Toyo Network Systems Co., a Kawasaki-based affiliate, will start shipping a corporate-use modem for high-speed power line communications on Dec. 18.
The modem, which plugs into a power outlet for broadband Internet access over power lines, boasts a speed of up to 200 megabits per second, NEC said. It also adopted a private-key encryption method developed by International Business Machines Corp. to realize high- level security.
Toyo Network expects to sell 200,000 units of the new modem, priced at for 20,000 yen a unit, over the next three years.
Tokyo, Dec. 4 (Jiji Press)--NEC Corp. said Monday that Toyo Network Systems Co., a Kawasaki-based affiliate, will start shipping a corporate-use modem for high-speed power line communications on Dec. 18.
The modem, which plugs into a power outlet for broadband Internet access over power lines, boasts a speed of up to 200 megabits per second, NEC said. It also adopted a private-key encryption method developed by International Business Machines Corp. to realize high- level security.
Toyo Network expects to sell 200,000 units of the new modem, priced at for 20,000 yen a unit, over the next three years.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Telkonet Issues Shareholder Letter
GERMANTOWN, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Telkonet, Inc. (Amex:TKO - News), the leader in providing in-building broadband access over existing electrical wiring, today announced the issuance of the following letter to their shareholders.
December 4, 2006
To our Valued Shareholders,
2006 has been an exciting year for Telkonet. We are continuing to reinforce the Company as the leader in powerline communications technology by adding new capabilities to our product platform, such as energy management, and by developing key strategic relationships. We have invested over two years in the development and positioning of our products for sale within the government sector and, as a result, we believe the Company is finally poised to reap the benefits of these efforts within the federal, state and local government markets. As the year comes to a close, we are reflecting on our significant accomplishments in the past twelve months, anticipating that they will act as a springboard for additional success in the coming year.
More: Telkonet Issues Shareholder Letter
December 4, 2006
To our Valued Shareholders,
2006 has been an exciting year for Telkonet. We are continuing to reinforce the Company as the leader in powerline communications technology by adding new capabilities to our product platform, such as energy management, and by developing key strategic relationships. We have invested over two years in the development and positioning of our products for sale within the government sector and, as a result, we believe the Company is finally poised to reap the benefits of these efforts within the federal, state and local government markets. As the year comes to a close, we are reflecting on our significant accomplishments in the past twelve months, anticipating that they will act as a springboard for additional success in the coming year.
More: Telkonet Issues Shareholder Letter
Friday, December 01, 2006
Ambient Corporation`s posted 9 new job opening, as they "continue aggressive development and optimization of BPL Solutions..."
Ambient Corporation Careers... Job Opening !!!
As we continue aggressive development and optimization of our BPL Solutions, and transition to large commercial installations, Ambient will be entering a strong growth phase. We recognize that many more bright and creative people will need to join our excellent staff in order for our vision to become a reality.
Source: http://www.ambientcorp.com/pages/careers.htm
As we continue aggressive development and optimization of our BPL Solutions, and transition to large commercial installations, Ambient will be entering a strong growth phase. We recognize that many more bright and creative people will need to join our excellent staff in order for our vision to become a reality.
Source: http://www.ambientcorp.com/pages/careers.htm
Thursday, November 30, 2006
FCC Ruling Puts Trimax on Level Playing Field With DSL and Cable Internet Providers
TORONTO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- November 30, 2006 -- Trimax Corporation (OTCBB: TMXO) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, PLC Networks Inc. (PLC) and Multi-Source Inc. (MSI), (www.plcnetworksinc.com/) are pleased to confirm that the recent ruling by the Federal Communications Commission holds unprecedented significance for the future of Trimax and the Broadband over PowerLine (BPL) industry as a whole.
The FCC has ruled that BPL-enabled internet access services have been classified as an information service instead of its previous telecommunications service label. This promotes Trimax's BPL technology on an equal regulatory footing as enjoyed by the cable and DSL companies. Trimax is a leading BPL service provider for the residential, commercial and industrial sectors using existing power lines as its infrastructure.
The FCC's ruling opens the door for BPL technology and supports fair competition amongst the broadband services available to consumers in the United States. FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate indicated that the technology has tremendous upside potential for many different parties. In a statement she noted, "The presence of another broadband platform could help to bolster competition and, hopefully, lower prices for consumers, especially in rural communities. Plus, the presence of an additional data network would help serve an important homeland security function, adding redundancy to our critical infrastructure -- this is the potential of BPL, and it is exciting." Derek Pepler, President & CEO of Trimax, commented, "This FCC support gives our industry further confirmation and fosters additional competition for consumers. The ruling will have positive impact in resolving concerns from the investment community and should assist policy makers from countries around the globe that have been observing this BPL rulemaking process."
The Commission came down with its ruling after viewing BPL demonstration sites in Keller, Texas, and Potomac, Maryland. As per past press releases, Trimax has secured contracts globally and is currently developing interest for BPL in West Africa, Pakistan, and East Asia. The company has expertise in product integration, networking infrastructure, and provides bundled service offerings of internet, VoIP, IPTV, VOD, AMR and surveillance.
www.plcnetworksinc.com/
The FCC has ruled that BPL-enabled internet access services have been classified as an information service instead of its previous telecommunications service label. This promotes Trimax's BPL technology on an equal regulatory footing as enjoyed by the cable and DSL companies. Trimax is a leading BPL service provider for the residential, commercial and industrial sectors using existing power lines as its infrastructure.
The FCC's ruling opens the door for BPL technology and supports fair competition amongst the broadband services available to consumers in the United States. FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate indicated that the technology has tremendous upside potential for many different parties. In a statement she noted, "The presence of another broadband platform could help to bolster competition and, hopefully, lower prices for consumers, especially in rural communities. Plus, the presence of an additional data network would help serve an important homeland security function, adding redundancy to our critical infrastructure -- this is the potential of BPL, and it is exciting." Derek Pepler, President & CEO of Trimax, commented, "This FCC support gives our industry further confirmation and fosters additional competition for consumers. The ruling will have positive impact in resolving concerns from the investment community and should assist policy makers from countries around the globe that have been observing this BPL rulemaking process."
The Commission came down with its ruling after viewing BPL demonstration sites in Keller, Texas, and Potomac, Maryland. As per past press releases, Trimax has secured contracts globally and is currently developing interest for BPL in West Africa, Pakistan, and East Asia. The company has expertise in product integration, networking infrastructure, and provides bundled service offerings of internet, VoIP, IPTV, VOD, AMR and surveillance.
www.plcnetworksinc.com/
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Nationwide Rollout of 20 Mbps In-Building BPL Voice, Video and Data Services Blazes Trail for Industry !!!
November 28, 2006 11:00 AM Eastern Time
First Communications Partners with MetaSwitch to Deploy Enhanced Broadband Services over Power Line
Nationwide Rollout of In-Building BPL Voice, Video and Data Services Blazes Trail for Industry
AKRON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Communications, one of the largest Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) in the Midwest, has recently deployed advanced voice and data services delivered over existing power lines in multi-dwelling/multi-tenant (MDU/MTU) buildings to residential and business customers throughout the United States. These services--including broadband Internet, advanced telephony, video on-demand, smart home and an array of security monitoring offerings--leverage next-generation switching and application solutions provided by MetaSwitch.
The new services, known as FirstSpeed BPL, are provided through medium-voltage electricity circuits with a sophisticated technology known as Broadband over Power Lines (BPL). In-building BPL utilizes the existing electrical infrastructure of a building to disperse high-speed connectivity throughout a building. This state-of-art delivery solution does not require expensive re-wiring of the network, and delivers blazing throughput of up to 20 Mbps, which easily outperforms DSL or cable systems.
The new advanced services are directly related to First Communications decision to move its key switching infrastructure from several large-scale Nortel DMS500 switches to new CA9000 softswitch and MG3510 media gateways from MetaSwitch, said Charles Leedy, Ph.D., Vice President of Network Operations at First Communications.
“The biggest benefit of a BPL network is that we don’t have to go though a traditional regional Bell company to provide our customers access to these exciting new services,” said Leedy. “MetaSwitch provided us with innovative technology that opened up powerful alternative access, without additional construction, wiring, regulatory or safety issues. For our business customers, this means they can simply and quickly network the enterprise through their building’s electrical grid.”
“First Communications has demonstrated exceptional vision and industry leadership in combining BPL technology with a flexible softswitch-based services platform,” said Andrew Randall, Vice President of Marketing at MetaSwitch. “The benefits of their new infrastructure are three-fold: they have exponentially grown their market reach; they have added a host of revenue-enhancing services; and they are providing customers with considerable additional value. It is enormously satisfying to see MetaSwitch solutions driving the adoption of new technologies and enabling the competitive telecommunications sector to thrive through innovation.”
Source: Business Wire 2006
First Communications Partners with MetaSwitch to Deploy Enhanced Broadband Services over Power Line
Nationwide Rollout of In-Building BPL Voice, Video and Data Services Blazes Trail for Industry
AKRON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Communications, one of the largest Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) in the Midwest, has recently deployed advanced voice and data services delivered over existing power lines in multi-dwelling/multi-tenant (MDU/MTU) buildings to residential and business customers throughout the United States. These services--including broadband Internet, advanced telephony, video on-demand, smart home and an array of security monitoring offerings--leverage next-generation switching and application solutions provided by MetaSwitch.
The new services, known as FirstSpeed BPL, are provided through medium-voltage electricity circuits with a sophisticated technology known as Broadband over Power Lines (BPL). In-building BPL utilizes the existing electrical infrastructure of a building to disperse high-speed connectivity throughout a building. This state-of-art delivery solution does not require expensive re-wiring of the network, and delivers blazing throughput of up to 20 Mbps, which easily outperforms DSL or cable systems.
The new advanced services are directly related to First Communications decision to move its key switching infrastructure from several large-scale Nortel DMS500 switches to new CA9000 softswitch and MG3510 media gateways from MetaSwitch, said Charles Leedy, Ph.D., Vice President of Network Operations at First Communications.
“The biggest benefit of a BPL network is that we don’t have to go though a traditional regional Bell company to provide our customers access to these exciting new services,” said Leedy. “MetaSwitch provided us with innovative technology that opened up powerful alternative access, without additional construction, wiring, regulatory or safety issues. For our business customers, this means they can simply and quickly network the enterprise through their building’s electrical grid.”
“First Communications has demonstrated exceptional vision and industry leadership in combining BPL technology with a flexible softswitch-based services platform,” said Andrew Randall, Vice President of Marketing at MetaSwitch. “The benefits of their new infrastructure are three-fold: they have exponentially grown their market reach; they have added a host of revenue-enhancing services; and they are providing customers with considerable additional value. It is enormously satisfying to see MetaSwitch solutions driving the adoption of new technologies and enabling the competitive telecommunications sector to thrive through innovation.”
Source: Business Wire 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
PPL Electric Utilities Goes Live with First Large-Scale Hourly Meter Data Management System
Monday November 27, 10:11 am ET
WELLESLEY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To promote a more efficient electricity distribution system, the utility industry, as well as the 2005 Energy Policy Act, have called for consideration of advanced meters that measure electric usage on an hourly basis for all customers. This month, when its new data management software system went "live," PPL Electric Utilities (PPL) became the nation's first utility to obtain hourly usage from its entire customer base - nearly 1.4 million homes and businesses.
PPL's Meter Data Management System (MDMS), developed and installed by Nexus Energy Software, is providing data validation, process management, storage, and analysis of hourly meter readings which are reported throughout the day by signals sent over power lines from all customers' meters, primarily utilizing TWACS® by DCSI meter communications technology. With successful live operation of the Nexus MDMS(TM), PPL has the largest operational system in North America in terms of hourly read data volume, and will be the most comprehensive in terms of applications that leverage the data.
"The integration of our advanced metering system with the Nexus MDMS unlocks the door to a whole host of applications that will benefit our customers and the company," remarked Bernie Bujnowski, Director of Advanced Metering for PPL. "The availability of hourly energy use information will enable significant improvements in our operations and, over time, enhancements to customer services."
The Nexus MDMS(TM) is the centralized storage and control system for data operations for the hourly meter reads, and provides the platform for integrated applications for enhanced revenue protection, complex billing, forecasting, distribution management, load research, settlement, and customer energy management services, which will be rolled out over the next several months.
"We were very impressed with Nexus' vision of what a meter data management system can deliver, as well as their innovative approach to both data storage and leveraging data for business benefit," added Bujnowski. "We were also impressed with the smooth implementation, which took less than 6 months."
Harvey Michaels, CEO of Nexus Energy Software, added: "We appreciate that PPL chose to work with us on data management systems to achieve the potential of its pioneering all-customer advanced meter system. Leveraging our experiences with on-line customer service, asset planning, complex billing, and other critical systems to more than 85 energy companies worldwide helped us deliver a solution to PPL that ensured performance-at-scale as well as delivering business results and customer energy management benefits."
WELLESLEY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To promote a more efficient electricity distribution system, the utility industry, as well as the 2005 Energy Policy Act, have called for consideration of advanced meters that measure electric usage on an hourly basis for all customers. This month, when its new data management software system went "live," PPL Electric Utilities (PPL) became the nation's first utility to obtain hourly usage from its entire customer base - nearly 1.4 million homes and businesses.
PPL's Meter Data Management System (MDMS), developed and installed by Nexus Energy Software, is providing data validation, process management, storage, and analysis of hourly meter readings which are reported throughout the day by signals sent over power lines from all customers' meters, primarily utilizing TWACS® by DCSI meter communications technology. With successful live operation of the Nexus MDMS(TM), PPL has the largest operational system in North America in terms of hourly read data volume, and will be the most comprehensive in terms of applications that leverage the data.
"The integration of our advanced metering system with the Nexus MDMS unlocks the door to a whole host of applications that will benefit our customers and the company," remarked Bernie Bujnowski, Director of Advanced Metering for PPL. "The availability of hourly energy use information will enable significant improvements in our operations and, over time, enhancements to customer services."
The Nexus MDMS(TM) is the centralized storage and control system for data operations for the hourly meter reads, and provides the platform for integrated applications for enhanced revenue protection, complex billing, forecasting, distribution management, load research, settlement, and customer energy management services, which will be rolled out over the next several months.
"We were very impressed with Nexus' vision of what a meter data management system can deliver, as well as their innovative approach to both data storage and leveraging data for business benefit," added Bujnowski. "We were also impressed with the smooth implementation, which took less than 6 months."
Harvey Michaels, CEO of Nexus Energy Software, added: "We appreciate that PPL chose to work with us on data management systems to achieve the potential of its pioneering all-customer advanced meter system. Leveraging our experiences with on-line customer service, asset planning, complex billing, and other critical systems to more than 85 energy companies worldwide helped us deliver a solution to PPL that ensured performance-at-scale as well as delivering business results and customer energy management benefits."
Sunday, November 26, 2006
WALL STREET SEES NEW INVENTION AS BENEFICIAL AND NECESSARY: inventions related to power line communications and Broadband over power line
WALL STREET SEES NEW INVENTION AS BENEFICIAL AND NECESSARY
Leah Parker
November 24, 2006
New York, New York. Dallas Inventor causes stir on Wall Street for his recent issued U.S. patent, (Patent No. 7,132,950) targeted at modernization of our U.S. utility business operations and its lack of modernization. This new Power Management Method and System describes a robust integration of measurement and analysis using inductive couplers, geospatial location technology and signals measurement technology that far exceeds the standards used by electric companies in the U.S. and abroad. Rumors on Wall Street seem to want to know how a disruptive technology like this can help the country and its consumers; or will it cause disarray in the electric industry at large because of so many new and novel systems now being lobbied everyday to Congress on the hill right now.
Stewart’s patent may be a technology that has arrived at the right place at the right time. But this was said about William L. Stewart’s inventions related to power line communications and Broadband over power line. Granted, Stewart seemed to be ahead of his time at moment when he introduced Power line Communications but his PLC/BPL technology has still not be proven. To his credit many companies including AT&T, Current Technologies, Amperion and other leading PLC/BPL companies have recently been awarded U.S. Patents that cite Stewart’s 1999 U.S. Patent (5,982,276) as prior art in their scientific efforts. However, this does not mean that Stewart is ahead once again. Many companies on Wall Street are looking at this new effort by Stewart to determine issues like uniqueness, time to market, costs and efficiencies. We can expect a through review by peers in the industry to provide insight on Stewart’s latest invention.
The Democrats in Congress want results on this energy crisis and perhaps Stewart has just what the Doctor Ordered. It Maybe not a “silver bullet”; but a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and improve the health of our nation’s utility infrastructure could make a revolutionary difference in our current electric grid reliability. The Republicans may see this is a benefit that they have bi-partisan interests. I look forward to a tangible solution and I believe that every American shares my expectation.
When I spoke with Mr. Stewart about some of my questions he seem forthcoming and willing to discuss in detail the benefits of his new U. S. Patent. “Look,” he said as he responded to my question of how “real is this invention”. “I have worked with some of the most well recognized companies in their respective fields to develop the systems that will be integrated into the PMI™ application. I am honored to work with the caliber of scientists and their teams to be able to provide this advanced transmission technology application. I look forward to the day that we have successfully reduced our dependence on oil, have alternative fuels, and have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions to a lesser degree.” That is all I have to say.”
I let the second interview related to this technology end there. I welcome the ability to speak with Mr. Stewart. He is articulate and kind with his approach to me, a non-technical person.
I also thought the comments from Mr. Keith Miller, formerly with Common Wealth Edison, raised some good points. After all, he comes from the utility industry. When I asked Mr. Miller whether the utility industry would embrace this technology, Miller said, “I believe that can and they will.” “We just can’t wait any longer for these types of improvements.”
More: Dallas Based Inventor Awarded U.S. Patent for Advanced Transmission Technology
Leah Parker
November 24, 2006
New York, New York. Dallas Inventor causes stir on Wall Street for his recent issued U.S. patent, (Patent No. 7,132,950) targeted at modernization of our U.S. utility business operations and its lack of modernization. This new Power Management Method and System describes a robust integration of measurement and analysis using inductive couplers, geospatial location technology and signals measurement technology that far exceeds the standards used by electric companies in the U.S. and abroad. Rumors on Wall Street seem to want to know how a disruptive technology like this can help the country and its consumers; or will it cause disarray in the electric industry at large because of so many new and novel systems now being lobbied everyday to Congress on the hill right now.
Stewart’s patent may be a technology that has arrived at the right place at the right time. But this was said about William L. Stewart’s inventions related to power line communications and Broadband over power line. Granted, Stewart seemed to be ahead of his time at moment when he introduced Power line Communications but his PLC/BPL technology has still not be proven. To his credit many companies including AT&T, Current Technologies, Amperion and other leading PLC/BPL companies have recently been awarded U.S. Patents that cite Stewart’s 1999 U.S. Patent (5,982,276) as prior art in their scientific efforts. However, this does not mean that Stewart is ahead once again. Many companies on Wall Street are looking at this new effort by Stewart to determine issues like uniqueness, time to market, costs and efficiencies. We can expect a through review by peers in the industry to provide insight on Stewart’s latest invention.
The Democrats in Congress want results on this energy crisis and perhaps Stewart has just what the Doctor Ordered. It Maybe not a “silver bullet”; but a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and improve the health of our nation’s utility infrastructure could make a revolutionary difference in our current electric grid reliability. The Republicans may see this is a benefit that they have bi-partisan interests. I look forward to a tangible solution and I believe that every American shares my expectation.
When I spoke with Mr. Stewart about some of my questions he seem forthcoming and willing to discuss in detail the benefits of his new U. S. Patent. “Look,” he said as he responded to my question of how “real is this invention”. “I have worked with some of the most well recognized companies in their respective fields to develop the systems that will be integrated into the PMI™ application. I am honored to work with the caliber of scientists and their teams to be able to provide this advanced transmission technology application. I look forward to the day that we have successfully reduced our dependence on oil, have alternative fuels, and have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions to a lesser degree.” That is all I have to say.”
I let the second interview related to this technology end there. I welcome the ability to speak with Mr. Stewart. He is articulate and kind with his approach to me, a non-technical person.
I also thought the comments from Mr. Keith Miller, formerly with Common Wealth Edison, raised some good points. After all, he comes from the utility industry. When I asked Mr. Miller whether the utility industry would embrace this technology, Miller said, “I believe that can and they will.” “We just can’t wait any longer for these types of improvements.”
More: Dallas Based Inventor Awarded U.S. Patent for Advanced Transmission Technology
Friday, November 24, 2006
Ambient Corp.`s patent for Inductive coupler for power line communications !!!
United States Patent Application 20060261920
Kind Code A1
Cern; Yehuda ; et al. November 23, 2006
Inductive coupler for power line communications
Abstract
There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a signal to a conductor. The inductive coupler includes (a) a magnetic core having an aperture through which the conductor is routed, (b) a winding wound around a portion of the magnetic core, where the signal is coupled between the winding and the conductor via the magnetic core, and (c) an electrically insulating material situated between the winding and the magnetic core, having a hardness in a Hardness Type Shore A Durometer reading of degrees ranging from about 10 to about 100.
Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office
Pics of Ambient Coupler for Overhead Lines
Pics of Ambient Coupler for Underground Lines
Kind Code A1
Cern; Yehuda ; et al. November 23, 2006
Inductive coupler for power line communications
Abstract
There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a signal to a conductor. The inductive coupler includes (a) a magnetic core having an aperture through which the conductor is routed, (b) a winding wound around a portion of the magnetic core, where the signal is coupled between the winding and the conductor via the magnetic core, and (c) an electrically insulating material situated between the winding and the magnetic core, having a hardness in a Hardness Type Shore A Durometer reading of degrees ranging from about 10 to about 100.
Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office
Pics of Ambient Coupler for Overhead Lines
Pics of Ambient Coupler for Underground Lines
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
AT&T and Current Communications Settle Dispute over Current`s plans to use power lines for broadband !!!
...
AT&T, Current settle utility pole dispute
Internet provider to notify phone company of installation plans
11:04 PM CST on Tuesday, November 21, 2006
By CRAYTON HARRISON / The Dallas Morning News
A dispute that threatened to delay a new kind of broadband Internet service in Texas has been resolved, putting the provider back on track toward launching service in the Dallas area.
AT&T Inc. said Tuesday that it has settled its argument with Current Communications Group Inc., which wants to offer high-speed Internet services over TXU Corp.'s power lines.
AT&T plans to drop a lawsuit against Current, and Current will withdraw a complaint against AT&T at the Texas Public Utility Commission, said AT&T spokesman Kerry Hibbs.
Current spokeswoman Melissa Kresse confirmed details of the settlement.
Earlier this month, AT&T obtained a temporary restraining order to prevent Current from installing equipment on AT&T- owned utility poles. San Antonio-based AT&T was concerned about the location of the equipment and whether it violated safety standards.
In the settlement, Current agreed to notify AT&T in advance which poles it planned to use, Mr. Hibbs said.
Current told AT&T it has installed equipment on 520 poles along 23 miles in the University Park and Highland Park areas, Mr. Hibbs said. Ms. Kresse said the company had no comment on those figures.
The settlement allows Current to work toward its goal of offering broadband over TXU's power lines.
Next month, the company expects to offer diagnostic services to TXU's electric delivery unit. It's not clear when Current plans to begin offering broadband access to consumers.
In its PUC complaint, Current had accused AT&T, which also offers broadband service, of stifling competition.
"This was never about competition," Mr. Hibbs said. "It really was about trespassing and breach of contract."
TXU's electric delivery unit and Current announced their plans for the broadband service in late 2005.
Privately held Current, based in Maryland, is paying for the enhancements to the grid. Dallas-based TXU is paying Current $150 million over 10 years and bought a small, undisclosed stake in the company in May.
Previous article: BPL Company -"Current Comm. had accused AT&T of trying to stifle competition"
AT&T, Current settle utility pole dispute
Internet provider to notify phone company of installation plans
11:04 PM CST on Tuesday, November 21, 2006
By CRAYTON HARRISON / The Dallas Morning News
A dispute that threatened to delay a new kind of broadband Internet service in Texas has been resolved, putting the provider back on track toward launching service in the Dallas area.
AT&T Inc. said Tuesday that it has settled its argument with Current Communications Group Inc., which wants to offer high-speed Internet services over TXU Corp.'s power lines.
AT&T plans to drop a lawsuit against Current, and Current will withdraw a complaint against AT&T at the Texas Public Utility Commission, said AT&T spokesman Kerry Hibbs.
Current spokeswoman Melissa Kresse confirmed details of the settlement.
Earlier this month, AT&T obtained a temporary restraining order to prevent Current from installing equipment on AT&T- owned utility poles. San Antonio-based AT&T was concerned about the location of the equipment and whether it violated safety standards.
In the settlement, Current agreed to notify AT&T in advance which poles it planned to use, Mr. Hibbs said.
Current told AT&T it has installed equipment on 520 poles along 23 miles in the University Park and Highland Park areas, Mr. Hibbs said. Ms. Kresse said the company had no comment on those figures.
The settlement allows Current to work toward its goal of offering broadband over TXU's power lines.
Next month, the company expects to offer diagnostic services to TXU's electric delivery unit. It's not clear when Current plans to begin offering broadband access to consumers.
In its PUC complaint, Current had accused AT&T, which also offers broadband service, of stifling competition.
"This was never about competition," Mr. Hibbs said. "It really was about trespassing and breach of contract."
TXU's electric delivery unit and Current announced their plans for the broadband service in late 2005.
Privately held Current, based in Maryland, is paying for the enhancements to the grid. Dallas-based TXU is paying Current $150 million over 10 years and bought a small, undisclosed stake in the company in May.
Previous article: BPL Company -"Current Comm. had accused AT&T of trying to stifle competition"
Friday, November 17, 2006
There Are over 170,000 Broadband Powerline (BPL) Subscribers Worldwide in 2006
2006 Global Broadband Powerlines - Moving into Home Management 3rd Edition
Paul Budde Communication Pty Ltd., July 2006, Pages: 121
Around the world, a large number of Broadband Powerline (BPL) trials have been underway for five years and longer, and BPL is performing well, when compared with most other technologies. The next step is to make the transition from the current trial status to the commercial arena, and this will require the establishment of an appropriate regulatory framework to support the technological developments that are occurring. General speaking, positive developments on that level are taking place around the globe. But, as with most new technologies, progress is slow and full standardisation is not expected until 2008. The key problem in 2006 remains the high equipment costs. While some relief is expected, large scale rollouts will not occur before full standardisation has taken place. Developments in Demand Side Management (DSM) services such as home automation and home management, are opening up new opportunities for BPL - such as a third broadband highway into the home.
This report provides information on the latest developments and trends in the BPL market, with a detailed analysis of the sector. It includes a SWOT analysis, business models, forecasts, an update on the regulatory environment and information on key projects and pilots taking place around the world.
Key Highlights:
Around 100 commercial BPL trials are currently taking place worldwide, with about a third of these under way in the United States, and the large majority originating in Europe.
There are over 170,000 BPL subscribers worldwide in 2006.
Utilities are in an ideal position to compete in the multi-utility broadband infrastructure sector.
Underground BPL is well and truly underway and is especially successful in apartment housing. In Hong Kong, a large number of households are now connected to BPL services, delivering between 8Mb/s and 10Mb/s broadband speed.
BPL in Canada is still in its early exploratory stages with few trials and commercial deployments, those mainly within hotels.
IPTV over BPL is on the way, and significant investments are being made by the vendors to develop technologies that will become commercially available in 2007.
There are around 26 major BPL players, including equipment makers, manufacturers, and integrators.
Wireless signals within buildings are generating more problems than anticipated. This puts the HomePlug solution, based on BPL, back in the picture.
The regulatory environment, trends favouring energy conservation and competition in power generation are pushing utilities toward DSM as a way to reduce costs, minimise investment in new power plants, and improve customer service.
DSM can represent savings of approximately $400 per household or more.
SOURCE: Research and Markets.COM
Paul Budde Communication Pty Ltd., July 2006, Pages: 121
Around the world, a large number of Broadband Powerline (BPL) trials have been underway for five years and longer, and BPL is performing well, when compared with most other technologies. The next step is to make the transition from the current trial status to the commercial arena, and this will require the establishment of an appropriate regulatory framework to support the technological developments that are occurring. General speaking, positive developments on that level are taking place around the globe. But, as with most new technologies, progress is slow and full standardisation is not expected until 2008. The key problem in 2006 remains the high equipment costs. While some relief is expected, large scale rollouts will not occur before full standardisation has taken place. Developments in Demand Side Management (DSM) services such as home automation and home management, are opening up new opportunities for BPL - such as a third broadband highway into the home.
This report provides information on the latest developments and trends in the BPL market, with a detailed analysis of the sector. It includes a SWOT analysis, business models, forecasts, an update on the regulatory environment and information on key projects and pilots taking place around the world.
Key Highlights:
Around 100 commercial BPL trials are currently taking place worldwide, with about a third of these under way in the United States, and the large majority originating in Europe.
There are over 170,000 BPL subscribers worldwide in 2006.
Utilities are in an ideal position to compete in the multi-utility broadband infrastructure sector.
Underground BPL is well and truly underway and is especially successful in apartment housing. In Hong Kong, a large number of households are now connected to BPL services, delivering between 8Mb/s and 10Mb/s broadband speed.
BPL in Canada is still in its early exploratory stages with few trials and commercial deployments, those mainly within hotels.
IPTV over BPL is on the way, and significant investments are being made by the vendors to develop technologies that will become commercially available in 2007.
There are around 26 major BPL players, including equipment makers, manufacturers, and integrators.
Wireless signals within buildings are generating more problems than anticipated. This puts the HomePlug solution, based on BPL, back in the picture.
The regulatory environment, trends favouring energy conservation and competition in power generation are pushing utilities toward DSM as a way to reduce costs, minimise investment in new power plants, and improve customer service.
DSM can represent savings of approximately $400 per household or more.
SOURCE: Research and Markets.COM
Thursday, November 16, 2006
DS2 WINS CES INNOVATIONS DESIGN AND ENGINEERING DISTINCTION for 200 Mbps powerline chip !!!
DS2 WINS CES INNOVATIONS DESIGN AND ENGINEERING DISTINCTION
Award recognizes outstanding engineering in 200 Mbps powerline chip
Valencia, SPAIN, 10th, November, 2006 – DS2 has been honored with an International CES Innovations 2007 Design and Engineering Award for its new In-Home Powerline Networking analog chip -- the DSS7800. This chip is the basis for development of more compact, high performance, cheaper 200 Mbps Powerline Communications products.
The DSS7800 IC is used in the analog front end of powerline modems for In-home PLC networking, and it will be the perfect complement to DS2´s digital chip family used in every home networking device: from ADSL or CATV residential gateways and video-phones for advanced communications to home theatre systems, personal video recorders and game stations -- in fact any device for consumer entertainment.
“This award demonstrates the need for high-speed Powerline networking in today’s homes, and our technology is leading through innovation and accessibility. We are proud that our products have been recognized as cutting-edge enabling technology for the global consumer electronics and home networking markets,” said Jorge Blasco, President and CEO of DS2.
The DSS7800 is fully compliant with the UPA (Universal Powerline Association) specifications. Developed for high-speed powerline communications applications, the DSS7800 is a classic implementation of Moore´s Law of delivering a high level of integration, reducing the number of components required and therefore the design and the development processes of UPA-certified modem manufacturers. With the benefit of the most advanced and cost-efficient Analog Front End, UPA certified manufacturers are a generation ahead in the high-speed powerline communications market.
The awards were judged by a pre-eminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the trade press. Winners are selected in various categories to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting edge consumer electronics products and technologies.
The DSS7800 will be showcased along with other honorees at the Innovations Plus Booth #68747 in the Sands Convention Centre, and at the DS2 Booth # 22050, in the South Hall, at the upcoming 2007 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), from January 8-11, 2007 in Las Vegas.
Award recognizes outstanding engineering in 200 Mbps powerline chip
Valencia, SPAIN, 10th, November, 2006 – DS2 has been honored with an International CES Innovations 2007 Design and Engineering Award for its new In-Home Powerline Networking analog chip -- the DSS7800. This chip is the basis for development of more compact, high performance, cheaper 200 Mbps Powerline Communications products.
The DSS7800 IC is used in the analog front end of powerline modems for In-home PLC networking, and it will be the perfect complement to DS2´s digital chip family used in every home networking device: from ADSL or CATV residential gateways and video-phones for advanced communications to home theatre systems, personal video recorders and game stations -- in fact any device for consumer entertainment.
“This award demonstrates the need for high-speed Powerline networking in today’s homes, and our technology is leading through innovation and accessibility. We are proud that our products have been recognized as cutting-edge enabling technology for the global consumer electronics and home networking markets,” said Jorge Blasco, President and CEO of DS2.
The DSS7800 is fully compliant with the UPA (Universal Powerline Association) specifications. Developed for high-speed powerline communications applications, the DSS7800 is a classic implementation of Moore´s Law of delivering a high level of integration, reducing the number of components required and therefore the design and the development processes of UPA-certified modem manufacturers. With the benefit of the most advanced and cost-efficient Analog Front End, UPA certified manufacturers are a generation ahead in the high-speed powerline communications market.
The awards were judged by a pre-eminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the trade press. Winners are selected in various categories to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting edge consumer electronics products and technologies.
The DSS7800 will be showcased along with other honorees at the Innovations Plus Booth #68747 in the Sands Convention Centre, and at the DS2 Booth # 22050, in the South Hall, at the upcoming 2007 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), from January 8-11, 2007 in Las Vegas.
Power Companies Seek More Juice
By Mark Rockwell
November 15, 2006
WASHINGTON—Power companies are still looking to get a slice of 700 MHz spectrum for their internal use in upcoming auctions for guardband spectrum, despite moves by the FCC to open up new communications capabilities based on power lines.
The FCC voted Nov. 3 to classify broadband over powerline (BPL) technology as an information service, which puts the technology in the same protected space as other new or emerging services, such as DSL and cable Internet access, and accelerates its distribution and sale. Those technologies aren't subject to the old telephone carrier service and rate regulations, and they enjoy more of a non-regulated status as the commission looks to foster them as competitive alternatives to traditional wireline services.
The new classification can help powerline providers bring another broadband access competitor to the consumer Internet access market. BPLs use the power grid to transmit signals, and can be deployed as far as a power company's lines reach – directly into homes.
"The commission's broadband statistics show that subscribers to BPL Internet access services, although few in number overall, increased by nearly 200 percent in 2005. These services hold great promise for consumers," says FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.
IN-HOUSE USE Despite the service's competitive potential, the power industry is still looking to the FCC's next spectrum auction to see if it can't line up more 700 MHz spectrum to use for power companies' internal land mobile radio networks. Power companies intend to aim developing BPL services primarily at the consumer Internet access market, not at their internal communications infrastructure, say industry officials.
The United Telecom Council (UTC), a group that represents power companies in Washington, has been looking to the FCC's preparations to sell 700 MHz bandwidth, probably next year. Power companies still need spectrum, says Brett Kilbourne, director of regulatory affairs and associate counsel at UTC.
It won't, however, solve power companies' needs for additional 700 MHz guardband wireless spectrum to use for internal communications at the UTC. The FCC asked the UTC and Motorola in September for ideas on how to re-allocate the 700 MHz guardband channels that border the main 700 MHz B and C blocks that the FCC is preparing to auction off. It wanted to know whether the spectrum could be used to support "critical infrastructure" applications such as power company networks. The power industry hasn't been allocated any spectrum for about 10 years, Kilbourne notes.
WEIGHING IN The FCC's inquiry into the re-allocation of 700 MHz guardband spectrum has generated response from those hoping to use it for public safety or other applications. Commercial carriers also are looking at the spectrum as a way to provide more extensive wireless coverage. Paul Garnett, director of regulatory policy at CTIA, says the FCC needs to resolve whether the commercial spectrum licensees would be required to provide more interference protection to the guardbands, which could lessen the potential of the spectrum in the 700 MHz B and C block auctions.
Broadband-Today.com
November 15, 2006
WASHINGTON—Power companies are still looking to get a slice of 700 MHz spectrum for their internal use in upcoming auctions for guardband spectrum, despite moves by the FCC to open up new communications capabilities based on power lines.
The FCC voted Nov. 3 to classify broadband over powerline (BPL) technology as an information service, which puts the technology in the same protected space as other new or emerging services, such as DSL and cable Internet access, and accelerates its distribution and sale. Those technologies aren't subject to the old telephone carrier service and rate regulations, and they enjoy more of a non-regulated status as the commission looks to foster them as competitive alternatives to traditional wireline services.
The new classification can help powerline providers bring another broadband access competitor to the consumer Internet access market. BPLs use the power grid to transmit signals, and can be deployed as far as a power company's lines reach – directly into homes.
"The commission's broadband statistics show that subscribers to BPL Internet access services, although few in number overall, increased by nearly 200 percent in 2005. These services hold great promise for consumers," says FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.
IN-HOUSE USE Despite the service's competitive potential, the power industry is still looking to the FCC's next spectrum auction to see if it can't line up more 700 MHz spectrum to use for power companies' internal land mobile radio networks. Power companies intend to aim developing BPL services primarily at the consumer Internet access market, not at their internal communications infrastructure, say industry officials.
The United Telecom Council (UTC), a group that represents power companies in Washington, has been looking to the FCC's preparations to sell 700 MHz bandwidth, probably next year. Power companies still need spectrum, says Brett Kilbourne, director of regulatory affairs and associate counsel at UTC.
It won't, however, solve power companies' needs for additional 700 MHz guardband wireless spectrum to use for internal communications at the UTC. The FCC asked the UTC and Motorola in September for ideas on how to re-allocate the 700 MHz guardband channels that border the main 700 MHz B and C blocks that the FCC is preparing to auction off. It wanted to know whether the spectrum could be used to support "critical infrastructure" applications such as power company networks. The power industry hasn't been allocated any spectrum for about 10 years, Kilbourne notes.
WEIGHING IN The FCC's inquiry into the re-allocation of 700 MHz guardband spectrum has generated response from those hoping to use it for public safety or other applications. Commercial carriers also are looking at the spectrum as a way to provide more extensive wireless coverage. Paul Garnett, director of regulatory policy at CTIA, says the FCC needs to resolve whether the commercial spectrum licensees would be required to provide more interference protection to the guardbands, which could lessen the potential of the spectrum in the 700 MHz B and C block auctions.
Broadband-Today.com
Developing world lags behind as UN dubs broadband new "utility"
by William French
Nov. 16, 2006
GENEVA (AFP) - Broadband internet access is becoming so vital for businesses that it can be seen as a new utility comparable to water and electricity, the UN's Conference on Trade and Development has said in a report.
The growing importance of high speed Internet access is "disturbing news" for the developing world where broadband access is scarce, because technology is exerting an ever greater influence on global business trends, UNCTAD warned.
"It's absolutely necessary for countries because without broadband, it is difficult to have e-business," said Genevieve Feraud, one of the authors of the the Information Economy Report 2006.
"Broadband is so important that we call it a utility which is just as necessary as water, electricity," she told journalists.
Developing countries also often lack the necessary infrastructure to provide the service at a reasonable price, the report said.
UNCTAD said developing nations are catching up in the number of overall Internet users,
In 2005, developing countries accounted for 43.0 percent of the world's 1.02 billion users, compared to 53.0 percent for developed nations and 5.0 percent for transition economies in ex-Soviet states and southeast Europe.
However, developing countries are lagging far behind in terms of the proportion of their inhabitants who use Internet, with an average penetration rate of just 8.5 users per 100 inhabitants compared to 54.4 per 100 in industralised economies.
The UN agency noted the difficulty of obtaining comprehensive data on information technology especially in poor countries.
Of 151 developing countries covered by the report, only 71 submitted data on the subject.
Forty-eight of those 71 countries, nearly two-thirds, said that broadband penetration rates were under 1.0 percent.
In fast-growing China, the penetration rate was only 2.9 percent, according to the report, although it ranks second only to the United States in terms of the number of Internet users.
UNCTAD said effective government action was required to bridge this digital divide, and to help developing countries expand their information and communication technology (ICT) networks.
A similar call has been made many times over recent years by the UN's International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
Forty-four percent of developing and transition countries have plans for telecoms expansion, while a further 20 percent are currently devising them, the UNCTAD report said.
However it was not just enough for governments to develop these strategies. They also need to monitor their implementation to ensure they are as effective as possible, the UN body concluded.
Nov. 16, 2006
GENEVA (AFP) - Broadband internet access is becoming so vital for businesses that it can be seen as a new utility comparable to water and electricity, the UN's Conference on Trade and Development has said in a report.
The growing importance of high speed Internet access is "disturbing news" for the developing world where broadband access is scarce, because technology is exerting an ever greater influence on global business trends, UNCTAD warned.
"It's absolutely necessary for countries because without broadband, it is difficult to have e-business," said Genevieve Feraud, one of the authors of the the Information Economy Report 2006.
"Broadband is so important that we call it a utility which is just as necessary as water, electricity," she told journalists.
Developing countries also often lack the necessary infrastructure to provide the service at a reasonable price, the report said.
UNCTAD said developing nations are catching up in the number of overall Internet users,
In 2005, developing countries accounted for 43.0 percent of the world's 1.02 billion users, compared to 53.0 percent for developed nations and 5.0 percent for transition economies in ex-Soviet states and southeast Europe.
However, developing countries are lagging far behind in terms of the proportion of their inhabitants who use Internet, with an average penetration rate of just 8.5 users per 100 inhabitants compared to 54.4 per 100 in industralised economies.
The UN agency noted the difficulty of obtaining comprehensive data on information technology especially in poor countries.
Of 151 developing countries covered by the report, only 71 submitted data on the subject.
Forty-eight of those 71 countries, nearly two-thirds, said that broadband penetration rates were under 1.0 percent.
In fast-growing China, the penetration rate was only 2.9 percent, according to the report, although it ranks second only to the United States in terms of the number of Internet users.
UNCTAD said effective government action was required to bridge this digital divide, and to help developing countries expand their information and communication technology (ICT) networks.
A similar call has been made many times over recent years by the UN's International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
Forty-four percent of developing and transition countries have plans for telecoms expansion, while a further 20 percent are currently devising them, the UNCTAD report said.
However it was not just enough for governments to develop these strategies. They also need to monitor their implementation to ensure they are as effective as possible, the UN body concluded.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Internet access via electricity lines coming to Maryland
Volume: 5 Number: 720_monday November 13, 2006
Getting Connected
Internet access via electricity lines coming to Maryland
By JOE BACCHUS
Daily Record Business Writer
Needs subscription: The Daily Record
Getting Connected
Internet access via electricity lines coming to Maryland
By JOE BACCHUS
Daily Record Business Writer
Needs subscription: The Daily Record
Monday, November 13, 2006
Panasonic Introduces 'HD-PLC' Ethernet Adaptor, Realizing 190 Mbps High-speed Data Transmission over Existing Home Power Lines
Osaka, Japan, Nov 13, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Panasonic, the leading brand for which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is known, introduced today a power line Ethernet adaptor that can create a powerful, high-speed local area network anywhere in the home by simply plugging into a wall outlet.
The BL-PA100 adaptor, available in Japan on December 9, uses "HD-PLC"(*1) technology to achieve physical layer data rates of 190 Mbps(*2) and seamless and secure communication that can coexist with other electric or radio devices used in the home.
As the number of broadband connections in homes increases - reaching 23 million Japanese households at the end of 2005(*3) - there is a demand for greater ease in setting up devices and establishing networks as well as higher security.
The new Panasonic compact adaptor, measuring approximately 121 x 40 x 70 mm, provides the solution for these concerns and needs. As the adaptor uses existing power lines, it does not require room-to-room cabling to establish a local area network. Unlike wireless network, the "HD-PLC" network is stable and robust and can seamlessly transmit a large amount of data such as high-definition video and streaming music content. With its AES 128-bit encryption, the BL-PA100 adaptor also provides the same level of protection given by most Internet banking and shopping sites.
Panasonic has prepared a starter kit (BL-PA100KT) for ease of installation. The kit
includes two preconfigured BL-PA100 adaptors - one is used as the Master and the other as a Terminal adaptor. The kit allows the average person to easily establish a secure network without using a PC. Simply plug in the Master adaptor into a power outlet and connect a broadband router/modem to the adaptor. Then plug in the Terminal adaptor to a wall outlet in another room where you want to access the network. PC and other network "clients," such as Panasonic IP network camera, can be connected to the Ethernet port of the Terminal adaptor.
Now, each network client will be able to access the Internet as well as communicate with each other.
Adding another Terminal adaptor is also simple. Plug a second Terminal adaptor, which is sold individually, to the same power outlet as the Master and press the "Setup" buttons on both units simultaneously to register the Terminal. Once registered, the adaptor can be placed in power outlets anywhere in the house. Also, the clients can be connected to any Terminal adaptors in the house to communicate on the network. A total of 15 Terminal adaptors can be connected to the system.
Mr. Kazuyoshi Fujiyoshi, President of Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd., said,
"Panasonic aims to realize a 'ubiquitous network society' where users can access their network comfortably. Our new adaptor eliminates unsightly wiring from the living room, study, bedroom and other rooms in the house and gives the not-so-technically-inclined person the power to instantly set up and enjoy benefits of secure home LAN. Panasonic will continue to expand the 'HD-PLC' product line to offer a choice to fulfill the varied needs of customers."
Panasonic also announced today availability of "HD-PLC" module samples for other
electronics manufacturers. Using Panasonic's own technology for embedding passive and active components into the substrate without damages, the MMDPMS150 series module takes up 40 per cent less space than conventional modules with similar functionality. As this compact module already incorporates such analog components as noise reduction filters, the manufacturers can easily develop products with high-speed PLC function. Panasonic plans to start sample shipments on December 1.
*1) "HD-PLC" is a name of the high-speed power line communication specifications
Panasonic is promoting. "HD-PLC" is a trademark.
*2) This is the theoretical maximum data transmission speed of the "HD-PLC"
specifications. Actual data rates are 80 Mbps for UDP (measured using SmartBitsR
network performance analyzer) and 55 Mbps for TCP data transmission (achieved on Linux-based FTP server).
*3) Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Japancorp.net
The BL-PA100 adaptor, available in Japan on December 9, uses "HD-PLC"(*1) technology to achieve physical layer data rates of 190 Mbps(*2) and seamless and secure communication that can coexist with other electric or radio devices used in the home.
As the number of broadband connections in homes increases - reaching 23 million Japanese households at the end of 2005(*3) - there is a demand for greater ease in setting up devices and establishing networks as well as higher security.
The new Panasonic compact adaptor, measuring approximately 121 x 40 x 70 mm, provides the solution for these concerns and needs. As the adaptor uses existing power lines, it does not require room-to-room cabling to establish a local area network. Unlike wireless network, the "HD-PLC" network is stable and robust and can seamlessly transmit a large amount of data such as high-definition video and streaming music content. With its AES 128-bit encryption, the BL-PA100 adaptor also provides the same level of protection given by most Internet banking and shopping sites.
Panasonic has prepared a starter kit (BL-PA100KT) for ease of installation. The kit
includes two preconfigured BL-PA100 adaptors - one is used as the Master and the other as a Terminal adaptor. The kit allows the average person to easily establish a secure network without using a PC. Simply plug in the Master adaptor into a power outlet and connect a broadband router/modem to the adaptor. Then plug in the Terminal adaptor to a wall outlet in another room where you want to access the network. PC and other network "clients," such as Panasonic IP network camera, can be connected to the Ethernet port of the Terminal adaptor.
Now, each network client will be able to access the Internet as well as communicate with each other.
Adding another Terminal adaptor is also simple. Plug a second Terminal adaptor, which is sold individually, to the same power outlet as the Master and press the "Setup" buttons on both units simultaneously to register the Terminal. Once registered, the adaptor can be placed in power outlets anywhere in the house. Also, the clients can be connected to any Terminal adaptors in the house to communicate on the network. A total of 15 Terminal adaptors can be connected to the system.
Mr. Kazuyoshi Fujiyoshi, President of Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd., said,
"Panasonic aims to realize a 'ubiquitous network society' where users can access their network comfortably. Our new adaptor eliminates unsightly wiring from the living room, study, bedroom and other rooms in the house and gives the not-so-technically-inclined person the power to instantly set up and enjoy benefits of secure home LAN. Panasonic will continue to expand the 'HD-PLC' product line to offer a choice to fulfill the varied needs of customers."
Panasonic also announced today availability of "HD-PLC" module samples for other
electronics manufacturers. Using Panasonic's own technology for embedding passive and active components into the substrate without damages, the MMDPMS150 series module takes up 40 per cent less space than conventional modules with similar functionality. As this compact module already incorporates such analog components as noise reduction filters, the manufacturers can easily develop products with high-speed PLC function. Panasonic plans to start sample shipments on December 1.
*1) "HD-PLC" is a name of the high-speed power line communication specifications
Panasonic is promoting. "HD-PLC" is a trademark.
*2) This is the theoretical maximum data transmission speed of the "HD-PLC"
specifications. Actual data rates are 80 Mbps for UDP (measured using SmartBitsR
network performance analyzer) and 55 Mbps for TCP data transmission (achieved on Linux-based FTP server).
*3) Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Japancorp.net
Saturday, November 11, 2006
America's broadband Internet disconnect needs new strategy
2006/11/12
By Michael J. Copps Special to The Washington Post
America's record in expanding broadband communication is so poor that it should be viewed as an outrage by every consumer and businessperson in the country. Too few of us have broadband connections, and those who do pay too much for service that is too slow. It's hurting our economy, and things are only going to get worse if we don't do something about it.
The United States is 15th in the world in broadband penetration, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). When the ITU measured a broader "digital opportunity" index (considering price and other factors) we were 21st -- right after Estonia. Asian and European customers get home connections of 25 to 100 megabits per second (fast enough to stream high-definition video). Here, we pay almost twice as much for connections that are 1/20th the speed.
How have we fallen so far behind? Through lack of competition. As the Congressional Research Service puts it, U.S. consumers face a "cable and telephone broadband duopoly." And that's more like a best-case scenario: Many households are hostage to a single broadband provider, and nearly one-tenth have no broadband provider at all.
For businesses, it's just as bad. The telecom merger spree has left many office buildings with a single provider -- leading to annual estimated overcharges of US$8 billion. Our broadband infrastructure should be a reason companies want to do business in the United States, not just another reason to go offshore.
The stakes for our economy could not be higher. Our broadband failure places a ceiling over the productivity of far too much of the country. Should we expect small-town businesses to enter the digital economy, and students to enter the digital classroom, via a dial-up connection? The Internet can bring life-changing opportunities to those who don't live in large cities, but only if it is available and affordable.
Even in cities and suburbs, the fact that broadband is too slow, too expensive and too poorly subscribed is a significant drag on our economy. Some experts estimate that universal broadband adoption would add US$500 billion to the U.S. economy and create 1.2 million jobs.
Future generations will ultimately pay for our missteps. Albert Einstein reportedly quipped that compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe. Investment in infrastructure is how a nation harnesses this awesome multiplier. Consider that 80 percent of the growth in fiber-to-the-home (super-high-speed) subscribers last year was not in the United States but in Japan. One does not need Einstein's grasp of mathematics to understand that we cannot keep pace on our current trajectory.
I don't claim to have all the answers. But there are concrete steps government must take now to reverse our slide into communications mediocrity.
To begin with, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) -- of which I am a member -- must face up to the problem. Today the agency's reports seem designed mostly to obscure the fact that we are falling behind the rest of the world. The FCC still defines broadband as 200 kilobits per second, assumes that if one person in a Zip code area has access to broadband then everyone does and fails to gather any data on pricing.
The FCC needs to start working to lower prices and introduce competition. We must start meeting our legislative mandate to get advanced telecommunications out to all Americans at reasonable prices; make new licensed and unlicensed spectrum available; authorize "smart radios" that use spectrum more efficiently; and do a better job of encouraging "third pipe" technologies such as wireless and broadband over power lines. And we should recommend steps to Congress to ensure the FCC's ability to implement long-term solutions.
We need a broadband strategy for America. Other industrialized countries have developed national broadband strategies. In the United States we have a campaign promise of universal broadband access by 2007, but no strategy for getting there. With less than two months to go, we aren't even within shouting distance.
The solution to our broadband crisis must ultimately involve public-private initiatives like those that built the railroad, highway and telephone systems. Combined with an overhaul of our universal service system to make sure it is focusing on the needs of broadband, this represents our best chance at recapturing our leadership position.
It seems plain enough that our present policies aren't working. Inattention and muddling through may be the path of least resistance, but they should not and must not represent our national policy on this critical issue.
Copps is a Democratic member of the FCC
Source: ChinaPost.com
By Michael J. Copps Special to The Washington Post
America's record in expanding broadband communication is so poor that it should be viewed as an outrage by every consumer and businessperson in the country. Too few of us have broadband connections, and those who do pay too much for service that is too slow. It's hurting our economy, and things are only going to get worse if we don't do something about it.
The United States is 15th in the world in broadband penetration, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). When the ITU measured a broader "digital opportunity" index (considering price and other factors) we were 21st -- right after Estonia. Asian and European customers get home connections of 25 to 100 megabits per second (fast enough to stream high-definition video). Here, we pay almost twice as much for connections that are 1/20th the speed.
How have we fallen so far behind? Through lack of competition. As the Congressional Research Service puts it, U.S. consumers face a "cable and telephone broadband duopoly." And that's more like a best-case scenario: Many households are hostage to a single broadband provider, and nearly one-tenth have no broadband provider at all.
For businesses, it's just as bad. The telecom merger spree has left many office buildings with a single provider -- leading to annual estimated overcharges of US$8 billion. Our broadband infrastructure should be a reason companies want to do business in the United States, not just another reason to go offshore.
The stakes for our economy could not be higher. Our broadband failure places a ceiling over the productivity of far too much of the country. Should we expect small-town businesses to enter the digital economy, and students to enter the digital classroom, via a dial-up connection? The Internet can bring life-changing opportunities to those who don't live in large cities, but only if it is available and affordable.
Even in cities and suburbs, the fact that broadband is too slow, too expensive and too poorly subscribed is a significant drag on our economy. Some experts estimate that universal broadband adoption would add US$500 billion to the U.S. economy and create 1.2 million jobs.
Future generations will ultimately pay for our missteps. Albert Einstein reportedly quipped that compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe. Investment in infrastructure is how a nation harnesses this awesome multiplier. Consider that 80 percent of the growth in fiber-to-the-home (super-high-speed) subscribers last year was not in the United States but in Japan. One does not need Einstein's grasp of mathematics to understand that we cannot keep pace on our current trajectory.
I don't claim to have all the answers. But there are concrete steps government must take now to reverse our slide into communications mediocrity.
To begin with, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) -- of which I am a member -- must face up to the problem. Today the agency's reports seem designed mostly to obscure the fact that we are falling behind the rest of the world. The FCC still defines broadband as 200 kilobits per second, assumes that if one person in a Zip code area has access to broadband then everyone does and fails to gather any data on pricing.
The FCC needs to start working to lower prices and introduce competition. We must start meeting our legislative mandate to get advanced telecommunications out to all Americans at reasonable prices; make new licensed and unlicensed spectrum available; authorize "smart radios" that use spectrum more efficiently; and do a better job of encouraging "third pipe" technologies such as wireless and broadband over power lines. And we should recommend steps to Congress to ensure the FCC's ability to implement long-term solutions.
We need a broadband strategy for America. Other industrialized countries have developed national broadband strategies. In the United States we have a campaign promise of universal broadband access by 2007, but no strategy for getting there. With less than two months to go, we aren't even within shouting distance.
The solution to our broadband crisis must ultimately involve public-private initiatives like those that built the railroad, highway and telephone systems. Combined with an overhaul of our universal service system to make sure it is focusing on the needs of broadband, this represents our best chance at recapturing our leadership position.
It seems plain enough that our present policies aren't working. Inattention and muddling through may be the path of least resistance, but they should not and must not represent our national policy on this critical issue.
Copps is a Democratic member of the FCC
Source: ChinaPost.com
In India: IBM Offers Broadband, VoIP Over Power Line
By: Priyanka Pradhan | Nov 10,2006
IBM has introduced a new technology in India, which combines broadband internet, VoIP and electricity via a single line. The technology, called Broadband over Power Line(BPL), does not require any additional infrastucture, because it offers speedier internet access and better quality of VoIP via the already exisiting power lines, so users will be able to pay a single bill for all three services. IBM is currently in talks with various utility providers to launch the system in India, within the next few months.
According to IBM Chief Architect of Advanced Network Solutions, Charlie Arteaga, BPL technology will drastically cut costs for the utility provider, and in turn, end consumers may see reduced bills for electricity as well as broadband connection. He said that even though the initial cost of the modem-like device, required for the BPL technology will cost around USD 100, it is a one- time, payment for smaller bills in future.
He added that the BPL Project is a part of the 'Intelligent Grid Network' which involves advanced technology to remotely monitor power meters, and individual consumption, so end consumers wont have to bother about low voltage problems, transformers or power theft anymore.
Reji Kumar, Head of IBM's Enery and Uilities Communications sector said, "With the BPL technology, we aim to bridge the technology gap between rural and urban India. Many rural areas have poor, or no Internet access but this technology will change this. Even if individual rural household may not be able to afford the required modem-like device, the technology will be invaluable for schools, government hospitals, and Internet kiosks for e-governance in rural areas." He added that, in time, with growing demand, the cost of the technology will invariably climb down and if utility providers offer bundled services at the local level, the BPL will soon be an affordable option in rural as well as urban homes.
Source: Tech2.com India
IBM has introduced a new technology in India, which combines broadband internet, VoIP and electricity via a single line. The technology, called Broadband over Power Line(BPL), does not require any additional infrastucture, because it offers speedier internet access and better quality of VoIP via the already exisiting power lines, so users will be able to pay a single bill for all three services. IBM is currently in talks with various utility providers to launch the system in India, within the next few months.
According to IBM Chief Architect of Advanced Network Solutions, Charlie Arteaga, BPL technology will drastically cut costs for the utility provider, and in turn, end consumers may see reduced bills for electricity as well as broadband connection. He said that even though the initial cost of the modem-like device, required for the BPL technology will cost around USD 100, it is a one- time, payment for smaller bills in future.
He added that the BPL Project is a part of the 'Intelligent Grid Network' which involves advanced technology to remotely monitor power meters, and individual consumption, so end consumers wont have to bother about low voltage problems, transformers or power theft anymore.
Reji Kumar, Head of IBM's Enery and Uilities Communications sector said, "With the BPL technology, we aim to bridge the technology gap between rural and urban India. Many rural areas have poor, or no Internet access but this technology will change this. Even if individual rural household may not be able to afford the required modem-like device, the technology will be invaluable for schools, government hospitals, and Internet kiosks for e-governance in rural areas." He added that, in time, with growing demand, the cost of the technology will invariably climb down and if utility providers offer bundled services at the local level, the BPL will soon be an affordable option in rural as well as urban homes.
Source: Tech2.com India
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