FCC gives nod to pursue Broadband over Power lines

[RichW]

This is going to be neat technology if it works and doesn't cause RF interference. Proponents say "BPL" can achieve speeds up to 20 Mbps, which should be competitive with DSL and cable.

[Bill R]

Our local power company, Cinergy, just started testing it in one community. HERE (http://www.cincypost.com/2003/04/15/cinergy041503.html) is an article about the test.

[Jacob S]

So if they could do it over power lines then would there be limitations on the distance they could go over the line just like DSL? I hear about all of these things that are coming about in the future like the wireless internet that is developing more, Verizon to offer all of their customers with high speed internet in the future, a new way they have the internet to work to make it very very fast even for dial up customers, and so on, so it looks even more promising for those like me that live out in the country that are wanting high speed internet access.

I have lately been getting advertisements for $10 and $11 internet access with local dial ups. They must be trying to get customers before the high speed internet comes in here so that way they will already have a competitive rate compared to the high speed internet, whereas if they would get the high speed internet first they would not want to switch back because it will feel so slugish after using the high speed internet.

[RichW]

Originally posted by Jacob S
So if they could do it over power lines then would there be limitations on the distance they could go over the line just like DSL?

Yep, there will a physical limitation, but the way I understand it is that there will be equipment on the power poles (or distribution boxes for underground systems) that essentially takes care of any distance problem. Unlike DSL, where the terminal equipment must be in the Telco central office, you could put the router/repeater/whatever anywhere on the grid like they do for power transformers. This might be more expensive to implement than DSL but eliminates the need for new wiring to and within the household. Every electrical outlet becomes an Internet port.

The telcos could respond with wireless hubs in each neighborhood as an alternative. Then it remains to be seen how each system responds to a populated load and how much bandwidth has to be shared with your neighbors in eachg system.

[lee635]

Originally posted by Jacob S

I have lately been getting advertisements for $10 and $11 internet access with local dial ups. They must be trying to get customers before the high speed internet comes in here so that way they will already have a competitive rate compared to the high speed internet, whereas if they would get the high speed internet first they would not want to switch back because it will feel so slugish after using the high speed internet.

We recently dropped our $50 a month Verizon DSL for $8.50 a month Highspeed.com dialup. Mostly we just surf the net. And on the occasion we need to download, just set it up before one goes to bed, get up the next morning and the download is done.

:)

[Jacob S]

Then I would be told 'we do not have enough customers in your area to put up the distribution box because it is too expensive to offer it to such few people out in the country' just the same as they tell me now. There is no benefit to this if it costs them too much to do out in the counry.

I think I like the idea where Verizon will have 100% of their customers with the high speed internet and other offerings unless they can get the price down on offering it over the power lines because that would be a great idea to be able to plug into any electrical outlet to get your internet service.

[JohnR]

I think this is great. As a person who lives in a rural area, I look forward to any new technology that benefits those of us that choose to live out in the sticks.

I have had "wireless" access for about 6 months now and love it. My ISP broadcasts internet from a local radio station tower (almost in my backyard) and is adding other areas (on other towers) fairly quickly. I don't get DSL speed, but it is faster than ISDN. I average 250 Kbps.

I look forward to alternatives.

JohnR

[Jacob S]

How far out can they reach with wireless access? I was thinking about getting this going in my area since there is nothing out here in the country if I could find a way of getting it without costing me or the customers a bundle to get started.

[N5XZS]

This will create a mess on the low band radio freqs, i'e Longwave radio,AM radio broadcast and Ham Radio bands IMHO!

The power company use the low freqs, covering from 10 KHz to 30 MHz ~ will cause splatters all over the place causing degraded radio receptions of any kind.

Now only if they can prove it to the FCC that they will not cause harm to other radio users.

The best cleanest way to send broadband is by fiber optics but sadly mainly it's for the business use only and the best 2nd best bet is the DSL or DBS broadband which is the most popular options of all IMHO.

They try this same ideas somewhere in Europe and caused a lots of problems to radio broadcasting and other users in the radio spectrums.

This will not work in the USA at it all but unless they can prove by filtering it out the broadband noise and not causing interference's to others.:(

I am a ham radio hobbyest and also shortwave listener cares about radio waves from being clogged up!

4-30-03

[Richard King]

I'm going to wait for broadband on my plumbing. I have heard that data flows better on this system and that all spam is flushed out before reaching you. :D

[Jacob S]

Would it not be a problem when radios also completely go digital?

[Nick]

Originally posted by Rking401
I'm going to wait for broadband on my plumbing. I have heard that data flows better on this system and that all spam is flushed out before reaching you. :D

:lol: