On the BPL Battlefield

The following is a transcript of an interview between Wireless Institute of Australia Director Phil Waite and WIA News presenter Graham Kemp

Phil what was the Sydney BPL conference all about?

An opportunity for everyone interested in BPL (for and against) to hear the latest developments, market trends, ACMA's thoughts about interference management, and what the operators have to say about their trials so far.

Why was it important for the WIA to attend?

Graham the WIA is an important stakeholder in the BPL debate and has influence on a number of fronts. ACMA were presenting an update on their views on how to manage interference from BPL systems. We needed to keep abreast of the latest developments that could adversely affect radio
amateurs.

What did you learn about the current state of BPL technology?

There was little new information presented which we were not already aware of. Following the recent announcement by Telstra to provide 'Fibre to the Home', BPL is now mostly only seen as a commercially viable solution for fringe area and rural area broadband access.

BPL is now not seen as commercially attractive in large cities where the large telco's will focus their broadband investment.

The marketplace for BPL equipment is also changing. Niche markets are emerging for local area BPL systems in industry, housing estates, retirement villages, hotels, high rise buildings, marinas etc and these markets may emerge as the major BPL application.

What about the trials?

Trials continue in Queanbeyan and Hobart.

Auroral energy have made some improvements to the emission level of the system in Hobart compared to older technology trials in Queanbeyan and Moruya, but the 10 dB or so improvement falls far short of the 50-60 dB necessary to prevent interference to HF radio communications. Aurora are still working on improving the technology.

Aurora have announced further trials in Hobart and Bernie, and Country Energy have announced further trials next year in NSW.

What is ACMA currently doing, in general and in relation to the Aurora trial?

ACMA have announced a review of the BPL Trial Guidelines. The review will take into account public comments received to their Discussion Paper, and their experience gained over the past year. The WIA will be working with ACMA in the development of the new guidelines.

The whole ACMA process is likely to take some time before a comprehensive management regime is in place.

Before ACMA can finalise their position on BPL they will need to take emission measurements on the new technology Aurora system in Hobart. They will wait until that BPL technology is stable before taking measurements.

The WIA is also waiting for a stable technical environment before taking measurements.

Phil we have heard reports quite critical of the WIA not attending some BPL conferences, can you tell us what that was about?

The WIA does not wish to enter into debate about what we should and should not do. Over the last couple of years we have attended 3 paid Buddecomm conferences and several industry demonstrations of the technology.

We have met with ACMA representatives and politicians, and visited BPL trial sites.

We are more than willing to co-operate with the BPL industry if that co-operation will result in an improved outcome for our members.

However conferences are not cheap, and we are using members' money here, and the WIA will make it's own decisions based on what we see as the benefits.

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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