Asoka Unveils New BPL Network Testing Tools at CES 2008

By Patrick Barnard, TMCnet Assignment Editor

Broadband over Powerline (BPL) solutions provider Asoka USA has reportedly introduced two new performance test tools, the PlugLink AV Performance Network Tester (PL8060-PNT) and the PlugLink Performance Network Tester (PL8050-PNT), at International CES (News - Alert) 2008, now underway in Las Vegas.

These network performance testers (and yes, it does still seem strange to call the electric cabling in your home a “network”) are used for checking bandwidth availability and packet loss, as well as any jitter and latency issues. The PL8060-PNT is a 200 Mbps HomePlug AV tester for data, voice, and IPTV, while the PL8050-PNT is an 85 Mbps HomePlug 1.0 tester for data and voice. The company claims that both testers “will significantly impact network installation and performance for powerline networking.”

“Being able to analyze and troubleshoot a network is critical for our customers,” said Dano Ybarra, CEO of Asoka, in a press release. “We are determined not only to deliver the best powerline networking products, but to provide our customers with tools that will enable them to install and integrate powerline networks with minimal hassle and the highest success rates.”

Both testers will be available for purchase in late 1Q08.

In addition, Asoka is showcasing its line of HomePlug powerline networking products -- adapters and routers which can be used to turn any electrical outlet in the home or office into an Internet port by utilizing existing electrical wiring.

Asoka made news on TMCnet in October when the company announced that it had received $7 million in venture capital from Venrock Associates and Storm Ventures (News - Alert). The company said the funds will be used “to advance adoption of Asoka's Powerline networking products and continue to advance the technology.” In addition the company announced that industry veteran Dano Ybarra has been selected to serve as the company's new Chief Executive Officer. Ybarra, who will oversee the advancement of Asoka’s BPL product lines and global expansion plans, will succeed founder and current CEO, T.K. Chan. Chan will continue to serve the company as CTO, and will now focus on product innovation.

Delivering broadband speeds of more than 200 Mbps, Broadband over Powerline (BPL) continues to be an attractive alternative to costly cabling in order to bring broadband services to residences, housing developments and small businesses in remote or rural areas. The technology’s slight limitations in terms of speed and capacity are arguably made up for by its tremendous convenience: With BPL, all a homeowner or apartment dweller needs is a BPL “modem” which can be plugged into any wall outlet in order to get Internet access and other broadband services, such as VoIP. There’s no need to wire (or re-wire) the entire residence with cable or DSL lines in order to deliver the services, as they are delivered over the last mile via electric powerlines which are already installed in the home. The technology is continuing to see growing adoption in Europe and other parts of the world, although in the U.S. it has seen much slower adoption rates. Whether the technology ultimately becomes ubiquitous or not, it is at least having the effect of forcing some service providers to extend their networks into remote or rural areas which might otherwise see penetration by companies delivering BPL technology.

Foster City Calif.-based Asoka offers a broad portfolio of BPL network products and solutions, including its PlugLink and PlugLAN product lines, which it claims deliver “the industry’s most robust and complete PLC product portfolio, making connectivity simple, secure, and effortless.” In addition to its line of residential/SOHO products, Asoka offers a commercial network solution suitable for commercial environments. This solution offers the same “plug-and-play” characteristics, while at the same time delivering remote manageability and billing/administration capabilities for hotels, hospitals, education facilities, apartments, dormitories and airports. In addition to its Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Original Device Manufacturer (ODM) divisions, the company also offers private label solutions to its partners as well as consulting services.

For more information, visit www.asokausa.com.