Sabah, Malaysia: Realm BPL to provide BROADBAND via POWER LINES !!!

August 10 2006
Business Times


BROADBAND connection using power lines could be available in certain parts of the country beginning September.

Realm BPL Communications Sdn Bhd, a licensed Access Services Provider, is in the midst of a pre-rollout programme to enable broadband over power lines (BPL). It is working with Realm Energy Sdn Bhd, a licensed Network Facilities Provider and Network Services Provider.


"Selected areas from Perlis to Sabah will be (broadband) connected by power line connection beginning September. And from January 2007 onwards, a mass rollout programme throughout the country will be implemented," Realm BPL chief executive officer Abdul Latif Mohd Nasir said in a statement.


The technology is based on transmitting data and voice over power lines.


As this technology uses existing power lines in the houses and buildings, the potential penetration of broadband could be phenomenal, Abdul Latif added.


He said BPL technology is commercially viable and already implemented in the US, France, Germany, Spain and Hong Kong.


Extensive tests and trials were conducted in Malaysia prior to the issuance of the licences. These include streamlining guidelines, procedures, and policies.


"Obviously there were challenging issues that surfaced, like absorbing high international gateway access cost and preparing creative and useful content for users. However, the company is committed to remain competitive in servicing the market in the long term," the statement said.

HUOSTON, TEXAS: Broadband over power lines could reach Cy-Fair area in a few years

By Kentesheia Dockery , Staff Writer
08/04/2006

The ability to enhance communication systems, improve customer expectations and uphold timely maintenance isn't as distant a concept as it used to be.


The innovation of BPL, or broadband over power lines, could very well be the solution to technical difficulties as well as a gateway toward better service.

Consulting engineer William Armstrong, PE of CenterPoint Energy introduced BPL to the utility infrastructure committee of the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce on July 19.
Armstrong and others at CenterPoint Energy are hoping to change yesterday's method of implementation by taking advantage of quick moving technology of bandwidths through power lines.

"Right now, if the lights go out, utility doesn't know," Armstrong said.

So, a proposition is underway and different locations across the nation, to super impose a utility grid into a communications system providing a window into everything on the system. It would benefit an entire eco-system for residential communities, businesses, manufacturers and utilities, he said. At some point, people would be able to access the internet by simply plugging in a laptop or computer into the nearest wall outlet. Manufacturers of "smart" technology are mindful of BPL because many more customers will result from having more access to easy programming.

Incorporating BPLs would also mean less expenditure for utility companies. Gas, electric and even water meter readers can largely cease door-to-door handlings, weather delays, safety concerns and travel time by merely logging into a database. Additionally, customers can access their monthly bill statements online and even keep track of it until then.
In all, Armstrong said BPL, also called power line communication, is customer-friendly, offers faster responses and more advantages - all from using a tool about the size of a lunchbox.

"This is three, four, five years in the making," Armstrong said. "It's not a question of will we do it, but how fast."

BPL could eliminate a lot of things, he said, especially at apartment complexes, where a lot of groundwork is necessary to read meters and tenants change rapidly.

Currently, three substations are being supported, including two in areas of Bellaire, and one in Greenspoint. An additional substation in Bellaire is slated for the near future.

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BROADBAND over POWER LINES: new 200 Mbps Technology !!!

PCMAG.COM: FCC Supports Broadband Over Power Lines

FCC Supports Broadband Over Power Lines
08.03.06
By Wayne Rash
WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications Commission decided Aug. 3 to reaffirm its stance on the deployment of broadband-over-power-line technology. In a Memorandum Opinion and Order adopted by the FCC today, the commissioners affirmed that BPL providers have the right to provide data access using power transmission lines, provided they don't interfere with existing radio services.

By adpting this order, the FCC rejected requests by several groups, including the amateur radio community, the aviation industry and broadcasters, to either limit the service or to disallow it completely. However, the FCC did adopt provisions to protect some aeronautical stations and to protect radio astronomy sites from interference.

In the statements released by the commissioners, it was clear that the FCC sees BPL technology as a critical move in the effort to reduce the grip of the current broadband duopoly in the United States, and as a vital step toward serving areas of the United States that currently have no broadband access at all, including residents of rural and inner city areas.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said all of the commission members would like to see some non-duopoly pipes bring broadband access to hard-to-reach Americans. "This technology holds great promise as a ubiquitous broadband solution that would offer a viable alternative to cable, digital subscriber line, fiber and wireless broadband solutions," Martin said in his prepared statement.

"Moreover, BPL has unique advantages for home networking because consumers can simply plug a device into their existing electrical outlets to achieve broadband connectivity," he said.

Martin was joined in his hopeful comments by other commissioners. Commissioner Michael Copps said that the United States was already behind the game in the adoption of broadband, and he said that BPL might help solve the problem.

"You know something is wrong when the best-case scenario is that a consumer has a choice between two broadband connections, both of which are more expensive and considerably slower than what consumers in other industrialized nations enjoy," Copps said in his statement.

"If you want a quantitative sense of how bad things have gotten," Copps added, "consider this: Last year, the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) listed us at 16th in the world in broadband penetration. Using the ITU's newer and more sophisticated Digital Opportunity Index, your country and mine is now ranked 21st in the world."
Copps also said the Congressional Research Service has said the broadband market is three times as concentrated as what the Department of Justice allows. "And this is not just some run of the mill product like a toaster or a lawnmower—it is the data pipe over which all future communications will run," he said.

Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate said the commission struggled to balance protection of existing users of the wireless spectrum, and encouraging new services to grow.

"BPL is another regulatory question requiring us to balance regulatory humility with our oversight responsibilities," Tate said. "The FCC has and will continue to struggle with finding an appropriate balance between regulation to mitigate potential negative 'side effects' that accompany BPL and a hands-off approach that gives BPL the room it needs to develop in a free market."

In another action, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks comments on the rules for wireless licenses in the 700MHz band. The FCC plans to auction portions of this band in February, 2008.

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BROADBAND over POWER LINES: new 200 Mbps Technology !!!

U.S. Broadband Power Line 2006 Conference in Charlotte, NC featuring Duke Energy`s Broadband 0ver Power Line !!!

============================
Broadband Power Line 2006
September 17-20, 2006
Omni Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
=======================

Ambient Corp.is the Platinum Premier Event Sponsor !!!

Special Address – Investors’ Perspective
For a broader view, we’ve invited a leading Wall Street BPL analyst to discuss what Wall Street and shareholders expect when it comes to BPL and utilities..

Judy Warrick
Senior Advisor, Morgan Stanley **INVITED
=======================

Sept. 18, 2006

8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Broadband Power Line 2006
Demo Hall Open

See it live! This is a chance to see what all the BPL vendors on the floor have to offer. Sprinkled throughout the day will be 10 minute presentations by each of the vendors on the floor highlighting their products and services – what they have available now and what they have plans to include. What better way to prepare for Tuesday’s educational program than to see where the industry is headed based on what the industries vendors have available?

12:30-1:30 p.m. Networking Lunch in the Demo Hall
2:00-5:00 p.m. BPL Site Visit – Duke Power

Duke is one of the largest and oldest BPL deployments in the country. Their deployment includes several vendors’ equipment as part of the demonstration. They are deploying BPL for a variety of commercial and utility applications, and have a team of personnel devoted to implementing BPL throughout the company’s operations. This site visit truly will offer a different take on BPL than any other tour you might have taken before.

Read more: UPLC Broadband Power Line 2006

read: Previous articles:
DUKE ENERGY selects AMBIENT/DS2 G2 200Mbps BPL gears in N. Carolina !!!

DS2 BROADBAND over POWER LINES: new 200 Mbps Technology !!!

Ambient Corp. BROADBAND over POWER LINES new 200 Mbps Technology gear based on DS2 CHIPSETS !!!

Ambient Corp. comments on FCC Adoption Opinion and Order on BPL

Ambient Corporation would like to share with you the favorable outcome of today’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) meeting. Please find below the FCC’s press release on the reconsideration of its October 2004 BPL Rule and Order.

Specifically, the FCC’s action generally affirmed its rules for Access Broadband over Power Line (Access BPL) systems, which helps in eliminating the regulatory uncertainty created by the various requests for reconsideration. It also affirms its rules regarding emission limits for BPL, including its determination that the reduction of emissions to 20 dB below the normal Part 15 emissions limits will constitute adequate interference protection for mobile operations and denies the request by the amateur radio community to prohibit BPL operations pending further study and to exclude BPL from frequencies used for amateur radio operations.

Ambient is pleased with the most recent FCC decision, especially the denial of the amateur radio community’s specific request.

We also thank you for your continued support of our Company.

Best regards,
John J. Joyce
President and CEO


BROADBAND over POWER LINES: new 200 Mbps Technology !!!

FCC ADOPTS MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER ON BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES TO PROMOTE BROADBAND SERVICE TO ALL AMERICANS !!!

FCC ADOPTS MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER ON BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES TO PROMOTE BROADBAND SERVICE TO ALL AMERICANS
August 3, 2006

Washington, DC - As part of its ongoing efforts to promote access to broadband services for all Americans and to encourage new facilities based broadband platforms, the Federal Communications Commission today generally affirmed its rules for Access Broadband over Power Line (Access BPL) systems while maintaining safeguards against harmful interference to existing radio services. If harmful interference does occur, the Commission will take appropriate action to remedy the situation. Today’s decision was adopted in response to a number of petitions for reconsideration of the BPL rules established in October of 2004.
In the Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) adopted today, the Commission again acknowledged the significant benefits of Access BPL, reaffirmed its commitment to address interference issues, and reemphasized that the Part 15 rule changes were made to ensure that Access BPL operations do not become a source of interference to licensed radio services.

Specifically, the MO&O by the Commission:
- Affirms its rules regarding emission limits for BPL, including its determination that the reduction of emissions to 20 dB below the normal Part 15 emissions limits will constitute adequate interference protection for mobile operations;
- Denies the request by the amateur radio community to prohibit BPL operations pending further study and to exclude BPL from frequencies used for amateur radio operations;
- Denies the request by the television industry to exclude BPL from frequencies above 50 MHz;
- Affirms the July 7, 2006 deadline for requiring certification for any equipment manufactured, imported or installed on BPL systems, with the proviso that uncertified equipment already in inventory can be used for replacing defective units or to supplement equipment on existing systems for one year within areas already in operation;
- Affirms the requirement that information regarding BPL deployment must be provided in a public database at least 30 days prior to the deployment of that equipment;
- Adopts changes regarding protection of radio astronomy stations by requiring a new exclusion zone and amending consultation requirements for these stations; and
- Adopts changes to provide for continuing protection for aeronautical stations that are relocated.
- Denies the request by the aeronautical industry to exclude BPL operating on low-voltage lines from frequencies reserved for certain aeronautical operations;
- Denies the request by the gas and petroleum industry to be considered as public safety entities;

Action by the Commission, August 3, 2006, by Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 06-113). Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate and McDowell. Separate statements issued by Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Tate, and McDowell.

ET Docket No. 04-37 and 03-104.

Office of Engineering and Technology Contact: Bruce Romano (202) 418-2124; Anh Wride (202) 418-0577.


Please reference the FCC’s website at www.fcc.gov

STATEMENT OF
CHAIRMAN KEVIN J. MARTIN
Re: Amendment of Part 15 regarding new requirements and measurement guidelines for
Access Broadband over Power Line Systems; Carrier Current Systems, including
Broadband over Power Line Systems

In this item, we build upon our previous efforts to facilitate deployment of broadband
over power line (BPL) systems while protecting existing spectrum users from harmful
interference. It is my hope that our rules will allow BPL systems to flourish. This technology
holds great promise as a ubiquitous broadband solution that would offer a viable alternative to
cable, digital subscriber line, fiber, and wireless broadband solutions. Moreover, BPL has unique
advantages for home networking because consumers can simply plug a device into their existing
electrical outlets to achieve broadband connectivity. Promoting the deployment of broadband
continues to be one of our top priorities and today’s action is another step towards reaching that
goal.

STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS

We all have high hopes for Broadband over Power Line and I think we would all
like to see some non-duopoly pipes bringing broadband access to, particularly, hard-toreach
Americans. We are behind the game in putting high-speed, high value bandwidth
to work for all our citizens. You know something is wrong when the best case scenario is
that a consumer has a choice between two broadband connections, both of which are
more expensive and considerably slower than what consumers in other industrialized
nations enjoy. And that’s how it works in our wealthy metropolitan areas. Over much of
the rest of America, it just gets worse. Customers in rural, and even some urban, areas
often cannot get a broadband connection at all. Or their only option is so expensive as to
be unattainable as a practical matter.
If you want a quantitative sense of how bad things have gotten, consider this:
Last year, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) listed us at 16th in the
world in broadband penetration. Using the ITU’s newer and more sophisticated Digital
Opportunity Index, your country and mine is now ranked 21st in the world.
The reason we’re so far behind, of course, is that – in the words of the
Congressional Research Service – our residential broadband market is a flat out “cable
and telephone duopoly.” Indeed, this market has an HHI index of roughly 5,500 to 5,800
– well over three times what the Department of Justice considers “highly concentrated.”
And this is not just some run of the mill product like a toaster or a lawnmower – it is the
data pipe over which all future communications will run.
I recount these alarming statistics just to emphasize how important it is for this
Commission to take every step within our power to encourage new broadband
competitors. And that brings us to this item. Along with wireless technologies,
Broadband over Power Line is a credible candidate for a “third pipe” that could bring
meaningful competition to this market. Accordingly, I am pleased that we take steps
today to resolve certain questions about BPL and radio interference. The BPL industry
needs regulatory certainty from us, and I believe today’s item helps provide some
certainty—although important policy questions remain to be tackled and need to be
tackled.
Even as we seek to encourage BPL – as I stated when we issued our initial order
two years ago – we must also ensure that its providers protect existing spectrum users
from interference. This applies with special force to amateur radio operators whose skills
and dedication once again proved so valuable in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Amateur radio serves the public interest in so many ways that we must be always mindful
of its needs. I believe today’s Order strikes an acceptable balance between protecting
existing users and providing BPL an environment conducive to innovation and to getting
on with the job of deployment. But we should be ever alive to the reality that the
unexpected often happens and unforeseen consequences are as often the rule as they are
the exception. That’s why the Commission must be available and positioned to respond
to interference complaints with alacrity. Amateur operators shouldn’t have to wait for
months to get complaints resolved—they deserve better.
So I want to thank the Chairman and my fellow Commissioners for including
language in today’s item reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to providing
amateur radio users with assurances of expeditious relief when they are subject to
impermissible interference. When we ask multiple users to share the same spectrum, that
old line about justice delayed being justice denied is especially apt. For that reason, this
Commission must monitor, investigate, and act quickly to make sure that the rules we
reaffirm today are being observed out in the field. If for any reason these procedures
prove inadequate, I, for one, will be back asking for more.
Thanks to the Bureau for working through these difficult issues and for bringing
this item to us today. I am pleased to support it.
====

Breaking News: FCC Votes To Promote BROADBAND over POWER LINES

FCC Votes To Promote Broadband Power
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable,
8/3/2006 9:58:00 AM

The FCC Thursday unanimously approved tweaks to its rules intended to spur the rollout of broadband over power lines (BPL).


Currently there are about 50 BPL operations in the development or testing stage.


The commission denied broadcasters' request to limit BPL's power to below 50 mHz during the transition to digital, and amateur radio operators' request for various limitations until the FCC gets a better handle on potential interference to their service.

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said he was glad to see "nonduopoly pipes delivering broadband," referring to the current choice between cable and telephone braodband for the vast majority of households.

Pulled from the agenda of the FCC's Thursday public meeting was classifying BPL as an information service.


New Commissioner Robert McDowell said he hoped the new rule changes would help "drive down prices and foster innovative technologies."

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin pointed out that four of the five commissioners had been on a field trip to see PBL in action and said it was critical to spur the technology.

While the FCC is setting new technical standards for BPL, it grandfathered for one year existing technology for supplementing existing systems or replacing defective equipment.


BROADBAND over POWER LINES: new 200 Mbps Technology !!!

Australia: 200 mbps BROADBAND over underground POWER LINES technology to compete with Cable and DSL !!!

Regional NSW BPL pilot to smash city broadband speeds
Howard Dahdah, PC World

31/07/2006 15:17:01

Country Energy (CE) is expected to supply the first commercial Broadband over Power line service in NSW in the latter half of the year. This means Internet surfers in regional NSW will, for the first time, have access to speeds that smash what is available to most users in the city.

The NSW-based power distribution provider has been working for over four years on bringing the service to fruition. The CE Executive will meet in August to consider the business case of the service.

"If it is approved we will commence a commercial pilot in Q4," said Geoff Fietz, manager of telecommunications enterprises at Country Energy.

Despite still needing management approval, Fietz was quietly confident the commercial pilot will proceed.

The utility has already been trialling BPL since November 2004 in Queanbeyan, near Canberra. That trial started with a 45Mbps service from hardware supplier Mitsubishi, but has since gone on to incorporate Mitsubishi's latest 200Mbps chip, which is now the standard speed offered by BPL providers worldwide.

Although logically the pilot points to Queanbeyan, Fietz remained tight-lipped about which part of NSW will receive the commercial service. He did say the pilot will cover a section of a regional town, passing about 300 houses.

"We feel 300 is a respectable number and will give us a good base to work from."

He also said the pilot will be provided in an area which already offers DSL. "We are going head-to-head against DSL. We feel we need to indicate that BPL can stand on its own."

A number of consumer plans will be offered, but Fietz did not provide specific details.

Unlike ADSL, the technical specifications of BPL provides for symmetric speeds, allowing users to benefit from the same upload speeds as download. The plans will most likely start at 10Mbps. However, the system can reach a theoretical maximum speed of 200Mbps.

Although BPL is very much a nascent technology in the country, this 200Mbps speed is significantly faster than what is offered by current cable or DSL providers.

According to the ACCC the majority of Australian broadband users are accessing broadband via ADSL technology which offers a maximum 1.5Mbps download limit. ADSL2+ presently offered by a handful of ISPs, does offer a maximum 24Mbps download with 1Mbps upstream. A drawback to ADSL2+ is that it's technically only available to residents that live within 1km of their exchange. Meanwhile, Optus' cable plans offer peak download speed of 9.9Mbps and upload speeds of 256Kbps.

Apart from fast speeds, Country Energy will also offer customers VoIP from two different suppliers. A video on demand service is also on the table.

To receive the service customers need to buy a BPL modem which plugs into a power point. PCs connect to the modems either via Ethernet or USB ports.

From the modem, the signal is then sent to a metering device that is housed in the mains power box attached to the outside of the house. After it leaves the home, the signal passes along the low voltage (LV) powerlines, going through repeaters every 400 metres or so, and then ending up at the Head End, which is the box containing the 200Mbps Mitsubishi or Schneider equipment. This equipment then connects to a fibre pipe which ultimately leads into the telecommunications network and to the Internet.

The service will be delivered underground, rather than above ground power lines. A drawback of BPL is that it emits noise that can interfere with high frequency signals used by amateur radio operators, of which there are 14,000 around Australia. The level of interference is significantly weaker when transmitted on underground cables as the ground absorbs most of this noise.

Fietz said the pilot will incorporate equipment from Mitsubishi and Schneider Electric. Both vendors have played an active role in Australia's BPL deployments and trials to date.


Long time coming
Country Energy's exploration of BPL technology commenced in 2001 largely through the interest that was already shown by Great Southern Energy, one of the three state-owned energy providers that were merged to form the power entity.

Country Energy commissioned independent telecommunications consulting company, Gibson Quai in 2002 to conduct a report about the viability of the service. The consultant's conclusion was that BPL represented "a good opportunity for Country Energy to add value to the existing infrastructure and to provide new services to its customers."

Following this, a BPL Business Development Plan was approved by the Country Energy Executive in May 2002 and set out a three-phase exploration process: Bench testing, Grid testing and Commercial pilot.

Subsequent reports and investigations have followed. To deal with the radio interference caused by BPL, Fietz said Country Energy brought out an expert from the Open University at Manchester, to conduct research.

Most recently in October, Rothcorp Research was hired to conduct telephone interviews across various regional centres asking them a series of questions relating to BPL technology. All up, 100 small businesses and 308 households were surveyed.

"A lot of work has needed to be done to develop the technology in-house. We have meandered through it, but always in a detailed way," he said.

Country Energy's reach is massive. The group came into being after the July 2001 merger of three state-owned energy providers: NorthPower in Port Macquarie, Advanced Energy in Bathurst, and Great Southern Energy in Queanbeyan. Broken Hill's Australia Inland Energy joined in July 2005. Geographically its grid covers 90 per cent of NSW - excluding Sydney, the Hunter region and the Southern Highlands - and includes 190,000km of power lines.

Juergen Bender, an international expert on BPL and one of the people responsible for the first ever BPL trial in Germany a decade ago, stressed that BPL is not a solution for all things.

"It will always be a niche technology," he said.

Wherever cable or DSL are seen as the incumbent broadband access technologies, BPL will find it tough to compete, he said.

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BROADBAND over POWER LINES: new 200 Mbps Technology !!!

The Latest Buzz on BROADBAND over POWER LINES !!

The Latest Buzz on Powerline
08/01/2006

By Meg McGinity

It’s been talked about and promised for years, yet the market for it never seems to materialize. But sporadic voices in the occasional booths and panels around GLOBALCOMM earlier this summer were proclaiming enthusiastically the promise — and growing presence — of broadband to and through the home via power lines.

While many chip makers, device manufacturers and some innovative service providers have been champing at the bit to leverage the electric infrastructure so prevalent in many countries, utilities for the most part have been reticent to jump into or partner with the broadband and networking business. One of the things holding back the progression of tapping into power lines for in-home networking has been the conservative nature of the utility companies that own the assets, say executives. “Utilities have been slow to grasp this,” says Chano Gomez, vice president of technology and strategic partnerships at DS2 (Design of Systems on Silicon), which supplies high-speed powerline chips to device makers such as NETGEAR. “They are waiting for the pioneers.”

Those pioneers smell a market. That’s because as service providers continue to invest in network upgrades that promise faster connections to the home, they are faced with the quagmire of how to distribute that fat pipe throughout the residence. “The problem providers have is they know how to bring broadband to the home, but they can’t distribute the signals inside,” says Gomez.

The more appliances in the home that can access more applications, the more a service provider could recoup in added revenue. That’s where using powerline technology as a means for trafficking content throughout the home comes in.


CURRENT Communications’ Jim Dondero
On paper, using power lines as a means for distributing traffic throughout a residence is a no-brainer. For one, electric lines are prevalent in nearly every home, so there would be no install required or disruption to a customer, or big investment by a carrier for equipment. It’s getting more economical, too, say executives. Today, adding the powerline communication capability chip to a home gateway device adds about $25, but by year’s end, with bigger volumes being produced, that cost will drop to about $15, estimates Gomez.

While only tech-savvy consumers at this point would know enough to buy the equipment in stores, standards and trade groups, like HomePlug Powerline Alliance, are pushing to make such equipment more robust and interoperable. One challenge, executives say, is dispelling the “quirky” label with which home-plug networking has been labored. One contributing factor is the possible interference from HAM or CB radio communications, say experts, that could decrease the reliability of the transmissions. Another potential problem for the powerline advocates is the difficulty in ensuring the quality of the electric wiring inside the home.

Other technologies aimed at home networking also have their strengths and vulnerabilities. For instance, wireless technology, which has gained momentum in modems for its portability factor, can have reliability, interference and security problems. Consumers have been buying their own access points for the home and stringing them together to create a network, much to the chagrin of providers, say industry executives. “Wireless in the home is a service provider’s worst nightmare,” says Tom Wendt, founder of Optical Entertainment Network. “We are finding consumers say ‘come fix that for me.’”

Coax is another transport option, as championed by companies like Entropic Communications Inc. The company’s network processor, c.Link, threads together devices using coax. Coax is abundant in homes and easy to work with and has the backing of organizations like MoCA (The Multimedia over Coax Alliance), but the physical wiring and drilling through walls for installation is not aesthetically ideal to consumers.

Gomez says the market outside the United States for powerline technology is gaining traction at a faster pace. Telefonica S.A., he says, already is using power lines for IPTV distribution within the home. European providers are eyeing it for gaming applications, linking one box to another.

Still, the powerline technology and movement has its skeptics. Some device vendors say that while they are testing it as a means for networking in their labs, the jury is out on the technology. “RBOCs want wireless,” says Frank Galuppo, CEO at Amedia Networks Inc.

But even if skeptics are right and powerline technology ends up being the best solution only for the “odd room out” — like the kitchen that doesn’t have coax or the porch that can’t get strong wireless reception — rather than the whole home, that slice of the networking market could be enough to power up the powerline industry.

Of course, powerline technology is also a form of broadband access in the loop. This commonly is referred to as Broadband over Power Line (BPL) technology. And the most high-profile company pushing ahead BPL is probably CURRENT Communications Services LLC, which counts as investors such marquee names as Google and Liberty Media.

CURRENT Communications has partnered with utilities to use the electrical grid as means for broadband delivery to the home. Once the network passes a home, the customer can plug the provided modem into the outlet, connect the appliance and get high-speed access. Using the powerline infrastructure also will enable CURRENT and the partnering utility to offer security services like home surveillance, or telemetric applications, like automatic meter reading.

CURRENT has passed 50,000 homes in Cincinnati, and although the company won’t discuss subscriber numbers there, Jim Dondero, vice president of marketing at CURRENT, says 55 percent of CURRENT’s customers have switched over from DSL and cable.

As announced last year, the company also is working with Texas energy utility TXU, with plans to turn on service by year’s end.

CURRENT plans to pass 2 million homes within the next few years, Dondero says.


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BROADBAND over POWER LINES: new 200 Mbps Technology !!!

Australia: SP AusNet, Victoria's biggest energy transmission and distribution utility, is conducting a Broadband over Power lines trial !!!

You Beauty! Victorians to get free broadband as part of trial
Howard Dahdah, PC World

01/08/2006 15:48:03

Fifty lucky residents in the Victorian alpine town of Mt Beauty will get access to free broadband as part of a trial by SP AusNet to test the viability of delivering Internet over power lines.

SP AusNet, Victoria's biggest energy transmission and distribution utility, is conducting a Broadband over Power lines information meeting tonight at the Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre. Following a presentation, interested residents will be asked to nominate themselves for a trial of the service.

However, not everyone from Mt Beauty can participate in the trial: it is restricted to residents who live on eight streets in the town: Lakeside Avenue, Nelse St, Roper Street, Valley Avenue, McKay Street, Freeburgh Street, Simmonds Street and Wermatong Avenue, said Cory Parfett, communications adviser at SP AusNet.

Although it is still to be confirmed, SP AusNet is expected to be delivering a minimum of 5Mbps download/upload speeds to each location.

The trial is expected to begin in September and those who will be selected will receive free and unlimited broadband; dedicated e-mail addresses; an iLevo SmartBPL Modem incorporating separate ports for Internet, USB and VoIP; and any necessary external equipment including installation if required.

A Video on Demand to some of the locations is also expected, in which case the residents will need a set-top box that connects to the SmartBPL modem.

The trial is expected to last six months.

"We want them to use the service as much as possible and we will assess them through that period," Parfett said.

The utility is partnering with Schneider Electric which is providing all components of the BPL network. This includes the Head End, Repeaters, Couplers and related items such as specific cables and connectors.

According to Gavin de Livera, strategic business development manager at Schneider Electric, the trial will run over overhead power lines and SP AusNet have undertaken to carry out interference tests - a side-effect of BPL transmission -- before and after the head ends have been installed.

David Mclennan, project manager for the Mt Beauty deployment said the area was ideal for the tests as it is situated in a valley. "This gives us a clear [test] site for interference - there is very little background noise in a valley," he said.

Strong noise level become a concern as they can interfere in HF signals which are used by amateur radio operators.

In addition, Mt Beauty, which is situated in Victoria's north-east and about 30kms from Falls Creek, is an ideal location due to its proximity to its existing fibre telecommunications network linking the township to Melbourne.

SP AusNet joins a number of utilities such as NSW's Country Energy and Tasmania's Aurora Energy currently trialling BPL. Country Energy said this week it is also expected to launch a BPL pilot later this year.



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BROADBAND over POWER LINES: new 200 Mbps Technology !!!