Austrian measurements confirm that BPL causes HF interference

The Austrian government has published a report about disturbances caused by Power Line Communications (PLC) in the HF bands (2000–30000 kHz).

In Austria, broadband services via PLC (also known as BPL in some countries) are being provided in one region (approx. 250,000 inhabitants).

Since the first trials of this technology in this region, which commenced in 2001, radio amateurs and various public safety organizations periodically reported disturbances in the frequency bands below 30 MHz, which were, according to the opinion of the spectrum users, caused by PLC operation in the concerned region.

In order to verify the complaints of the various spectrum users, the competent Austrian authority (the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology, Telecommunications Authority) investigated the reported disturbances. The measurements carried out in May 2004, April 2005 and November 2005 clearly showed that the cause of the disturbance reported by users of the HF band in the concerned region is the operation of PLC.

In particular, the measurement proved that the emission of PLC installations is up to 16,000 times (42 dB) higher than the relevant limit (according to CEPT ECC/REC/(05)04).

Details of the measurement results are available in the annex to the following document (in German and English):

http://www.bmvit.gv.at/telekommunikation/
publikationen/downloads/inf022005v3.pdf

Source: Media Network