Ray Blair, Vice President- BPL Initiatives at IBM- elected as UPLC's new Technology Co-Chairman of its Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2006

United Power Line Council Elects IBM Executive as New Technology Co-Chairman


Washington, DC – The United Power Line Council (UPLC) elected Ray Blair, Vice President- BPL Initiatives at IBM as UPLC's new Technology Co-Chairman of its Board of Directors during its annual conference, Broadband Power Line 2006 in September. Blair succeeds Joe Cufari of Current Technologies, who served as the Technology Co-Chair of UPLC for the last four years.

As the Technology Co-Chairman, Blair will work closely with the Board's Utility Co-Chairman, Tim Frost, Director of Corporate Planning for Consolidated Edison. Together, they will lead the UPLC's efforts to drive the development of Broadband over Power Line (BPL) solutions specifically in regards to smart grid, smart home and broadband applications.

"I am thrilled to work with UPLC in the role of Technology Co-Chair," commented Ray Blair. "Through its efforts to foster the growth and development of Broadband over Power Lines -- for both utility companies and the technology companies that support their BPL efforts -- UPLC is playing a vital role in defining what BPL is today and where the industry is heading. I'm excited about working with Tim and shaping the direction of UPLC moving forward."

"I know I speak on the behalf of the entire UPLC board in saying that we are all excited to work with Ray in his new role as Technology Co-Chair of the UPLC Board," noted William R. Moroney, UPLC President and CEO. "Ray brings a new perspective to the board – that of active deployment. With IBM currently working with CenterPoint Energy on the deployment of BPL for smart grid applications in Houston, Ray understands the potential of BPL and what it takes to deploy the technology."

United Power Line Council
The United Power Line Council (UPLC) is an alliance of utilities and technology companies working together to drive the development of Broadband over Power Line (BPL) - broadband services over the existing distribution electrical grid and in-home electrical wiring – in a manner that helps utilities and their partners succeed. UPLC's efforts are focused in four strategic areas: business opportunities, regulatory and legislative advocacy, technical operability and utility applications. UPLC is an independent operating unit of the United Telecom Council (UTC). The UPLC Web site is www.uplc.org and the UTC Web site is www.utc.org.