New York City Eyes Broadband Over Power Lines Along With "Smart Metering" Technology !!!

Big Apple Eyes Broadband Over Power Lines
October 17, 2006 (5:31 PM EDT)
By K.C. Jones, TechWeb Technology News

New York City leaders are looking into the possibility of providing broadband over existing electric lines.


The City Council's technology committee is holding a hearing on the issue Thursday. The hearing is focusing on smart metering, which would allow energy consumers to get real-time information about their energy consumption and rates per watt. While the committee is considering that technology, it is taking the opportunity to examine broadband over power lines as a solution for niche populations.

The smart meters would allow consumers to find out at any given time how much power they are using and how much they are being charged per kilowatt. Since rates vary at different times of the day, consumers could adjust their use to save money and energy.

"For example, customers can make a choice about when to use major electrical appliances, and operate their dishwashers in the middle of the night instead of when they are at peak power," Jeffrey Baker, counsel to the New York City Council Technology Committee, said during an interview Tuesday.

Smart meter technology also could help prevent outages during high-demand days. It also saves Con Edison, New York City's electric supplier, time and effort on meter readings or estimates.

The counsel decided to tie smart meter technology with broadband over power lines and address the issues simultaneously.

"They're two separate subjects, but if we ask them to put in smart meters, there's no reason why they can't allow third party providers to allow access to the Internet over power lines," Baker said.

Though there are limitations to the technology, which is in its early stages compared to other forms of broadband delivery, some New York City government leaders see it as an opportunity to extend broadband access to people who otherwise would not have it.

"The advantage to doing broadband over power lines is that everybody has electricity," Baker said. "People can get on the Internet immediately without installation. The infrastructure is there."

That eliminates hurdles for people who cannot afford cable or DSL installation.

Baker said the hearing would seek information on why Con Edison is not pursuing the technology more aggressively.


Ambient Corp. and Earthlink collaborated with Con Edison to test the technology in a high rise on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Ambient reported that it took just a few days to install the technology in the 16-story, 213-unit condominium building, which now has high-speed Internet access and VoIP over power lines.

Several cities, organizations and power companies throughout the country are testing and implementing the technology, but Con Edison spokesperson Chris Olert said that the technology is still in the research and development phase.

He said during an interview Tuesday that the company is most interested in developing the capability to monitor utilities for maintenance and power loads.