> A Cisco ZX GBIC produces a max of 4.77 dBm (or less than 4mw). 4mw > corresponds to 35 watt hours in one year.
.035 kwh per year costs 34.5 cents per year using the average US electricity cost in March 2006 of 9.86 cents/kwh. Since the energy flow could be bidirectional, one of the two parties receives a net benefit of up to 34.5 cents. If a broadband provider offers customers a free gift such as a hat, does this make them into a hat retailer for tax purposes? --Michael Dillon