Broadband over Power Lines

Last Thursday, President George W. Bush made a speech entitled "High Tech Improving Economy, Health Care, Education". To read the full transcript (or to hear the audio) go to:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040624-7.html

An extract from it reads:

"They go everywhere. It seems to make sense, doesn't it, if what you're looking for is avenues into the home. Well, electricity goes into the home. And so one great opportunity is to spread broadband throughout America via our power lines.
... <snip> ...

There's a power company in that part of the world that's been innovative, that's diversified the product to the home, and now can provide broadband across the electricity lines - which is a fantastic innovation.

And so our job in government is to help facilitate the use of electricity lines by helping with the technological standards that will make this more possible. And I want to thank those in the Commerce Department who have worked hard to do this. "

Now getting broadband to Rural America is something Politicians are keen on. The President also stated his intention to remove "Burdensome Regulations" that stop the spread of Broadband. Uppermost in the Presidents mind was the regulations that stop the laying of fibre cables across land owned by the Federal Government. The snag is you can easily see how the Power Companies could use the desire to elimate unnecessary red-tape to push for a reduction in RF emmisions by BPL networks.

The President also covered the many other means of spreading Broadband but you can see from the speech that BPL has definately got it's foot in the door.

Politicians on this side of the Atlantic are just as likely to be misinformed about the damage BPL causes as their US counterparts. This threat to our HF bands highlights the need for a strong national society. I hope you will all continue to give the RSGB your full support.

73

Trevor M5AKA
Deputy RSGB Regional Manger District 123 (Essex)

Has the President's speech given you cause for concern?
Is broadband over power lines a worrying development?
Have your say - Tell us what you think.
Post your thoughts on our Forum board