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