California Gives OK to Testing of BPL (Broadband Over Power Lines)

[mandy]

Broadband service providers got the green light from the California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday to test broadband over power line (BPL) technology, paving the way for a third option in the high-speed Internet market.

The technology known as BPL uses the existing utility lines that deliver power to carry broadband signals into the home. For years, people have hoped BPL would allow electric companies to become a viable third alternative to the cable and telephone companies providing high-speed access to the Internet.

But technical limitations and a bad habit of interfering with local emergency radios have made BPL a tantalizing near-miss for the tech industry...

full article: http://news.com.com/Calif.+regulators+OK...g=nefd.top

[mandy]

National Public Radio has a story on BPL-Broadband over Power Lines

listen: http://www.publicradio.org/tools/media/player/marketplace/morning_report/2006/05/11_mktmorn0550?start=00:00:05:06.0&end=00:00:08:17.0

Millions of Americans connect to the Internet with high-speed connections from their phone or cable company. But now electricity companies are starting to get into the mix with Broadband over Power Lines or BPL.

    "I think this year we're going to see that the technology is finally reaching a point where it is affordable enough that a utility can actually really make the argument that it's worth rolling out."

By purchasing the right equipment power companies can quickly offer Internet service to millions of new customers. There are several pilot projects being launched in the US...

transcript of radio broadcast: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows...05112.html