ACMA publish BPL submissions

The ACMA have published the 275 submissions to their BPL Discussion Paper, with the majority showing a high level of concern regarding BPL interference and its management.

There are some very big names amongst the list in addition to the 222 submission from radio amateurs.

Air Services, The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and Defence, are concerned about the interference potential to their radio communications services.

Optus recommend a 'cautious approach', and are concerned over potential interference to their cable services

Likewise, Telstra expresses serious concerns about interference to their Broadband cable- ADSL- ADSL2-, VDSL- and HF radio services.

Telstra state: "ubiquitous BPL could have serious consequences for cable modem networks" and "it is clear that if BPL is permitted at the ETSI levels, there will be
significant degradation of VDSL in cases where power and telecommunications lines are in close proximity".

In a strongly worded statement - medical alarm providers through their industry association the Personal Emergency Response Services Association (PERSA) conclude:
"Electromagnetic interference from BPL is potentially severe, and is continuous and widespread. BPL interference could prevent a call for assistance in a life threatening situation, resulting in death or injury."

The ABC express fear that BPL interference is: "highly likely in some circumstances to annihilate broadcasting services."

The BPL industry's submissions are more favourable towards BPL and recommend less onerous management techniques.

Bytecan is a member of the Wommera Consortium operator of the Morouya BPL trial in NSW.

Bytecan is the first from any entity involved in the promotion of BPL to acknowledge the impact of BPL interference on radio communications services. Bytecan - a member of the Wommera BPL Consortium - They essessencially say that BPL works only at levels high enough to cause interference to radiocommunications services - and if the BPL signal is "notched" enough to
avoid that interference then there is insufficient bandwidth remaining for the BPL system to operate.

A link to the full list of submissions - also including those from CB radio, model aircraft enthusiasts, outback radio uses, and equipment suppliers is on the WIA website at www.wia.org.au

Happy reading,

Phil Wait VK2DKN
WIA Director.

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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