Note: the HomePlug standard can also be used to get broadband service
into older tenement buildings via when muni wifi can't go through the walls.
From the American Radio Relay League <http://www.arrl.org/>:
According to the August 15 edition of /The Wall Street Journal
<http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB118714676340798244.html>/,
"Satellite-television provider DirecTV announced a wholesale agreement
today with Current Group <http://www.currentgroup.com/> to provide
high-speed Internet service over electric-power lines," otherwise known
as broadband over powerlines (BPL). "Broadband over power line is a new
technology that allows customers to plug a modem device the size of a
cell phone into an electric outlet and connect a cable from their
computer for Internet access that is capable of speeds that are faster
than some popular Internet plans from cable and phone companies. Current
is building out broadband networks in Cincinnati and Dallas-Fort Worth
and is in talks with a number of utilities around the world about a
commercial rollout," the /Journal/ said.
ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, said "There is no reason to panic [over
this decision]. ARRL's only concern about BPL is the interference
potential. In that regard, the approach that Current has taken to date
-- limiting its use of the medium-voltage lines to 30-50 MHz and using
the HomePlug <http://p1k.arrl.org/%7Eehare/bpl/HomePlug_ARRL.pdf>
standard to avoid the HF ham bands on the low-voltage drop -- has been
satisfactory. If the FCC mandated what Current has been doing, we would
be quite happy."
Sumner continued: "We can be glad that DirecTV chose to align itself
with a BPL company that has taken the interference problem seriously and
has a good track record of avoiding interference in the amateur bands."
ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, commented, "ARRL and Current
have communicated regularly over the past few years. Current has been an
early leader in carefully choosing its design to avoid interference to
Amateur Radio. They don't operate below 30 MHz on overhead lines at all,
and use HomePlug technology, which doesn't use the ham bands, in
customers' premises. To date, ARRL has no Amateur Radio interference
reports involving Current or HomePlug equipment."
--
David Solomonoff, President
Internet Society of New York
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
isoc-ny.org
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