BPL - at the war front
The momentum for the introduction of Broadband over Powerlines is continuing.
Marketing experts are using buzz words and phrases to make it all sound
so very attractive, as Jim Linton VK3PC reports.
BPL is being described as "electric internet" that can make
every household
and business power outlet an "always-on web connection".
The hype and marketing lingo also include that BPL "will inject
competition
into the broadband market place," and "change the way of doing
business on
the Internet."
In targeting small rural cities in the United States, BPL promoters
suggest
that by deploying BPL now, those municipalities can put themselves well
ahead of the big cities on the technology curve.
A major barrier for BPL continues to be the financiers who need to be
convinced that BPL is not a dot.com-like speculative venture. The bean
counters will determine whether BPL is viable against other broadband
technology such as fibre optic cables, ADSL and wireless.
Power companies need to justify expenditures to shareholders and in
some
cases industry regulators.
Any limits, restrictions or controls, or the likelihood of any in the
future,
imposed to mitigate radio frequency interference from BPL will be a negative
in the financial equation.
The WIA has recently and publicly expressed a strong view about radiocommunications
interference experienced through the testing of BPL and called upon the
Australian Communications Authority to take appropriate action.
We have interesting times ahead as BPL interests continue to lobby hard
for approval so they can begin to roll-out the technology in Australia.
Jim Linton VK3PC
Source: Wireless
Institute of Australia
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