New restrictions on BPL in Australia
By Jim Linton
The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) now requires
broadband over powerlines (BPL) operators to make publicly known their
intentions to trial the technology as part of just issued restrictive
guidelines.
The ACA has also reminded BPL operators that harmful interference
to any radio service is a breach of the Australian Radiocommunications
Act, and worst case situations may require the BPL equipment to be turned
off.
Separate guidelines have been issued by the ACA for Access BPL, that
is public access to broadband services via powerlines, and in-house BPL
delivering services via the internal wiring of a building.
ACA acting chairman, Dr Bob Horton said the ACA is continuing to develop
Australia's regulatory approach to BPL and is monitoring developments
in Europe, America and elsewhere. It will issue a discussion paper in
April to seek industry and public comment.
Dr Horton said the ACA acknowledges it faces a challenge to establish
a regulatory regime that does not unnecessarily block the use of BPL,
while at the same time protecting radiocommunication services.
The ACA's new guidelines came after the Wireless Institute of Australia
expressed its concern about harmful interference on amateur radio bands
from a recent BPL trial. The WIA asked that the ACA take action to avoid
a repeat of that occurring.
There have been four trials of Access BPL in Australia, all using HF
frequencies, three in New South Wales and one in Hobart, Tasmania where
a further commercial trial is due soon.
The new guidelines require BPL operators to avoid specified frequencies
and bands including 12 aeronautic service bands and 27 maritime distress
frequencies.
They must also notify the licensees using those bands or frequencies
who are within one kilometre of their proposed BPL trials of the possibility
of interference, and provide them with a contact person to report interference
suspected to be associated with BPL.
Particular care must be taken to avoid interference to safety-of-life
services too. There is an overriding legal obligation on BPL operators
to mitigate harmful interference to radiocommunications services.
Both the ACA and the WIA consider that a wide-scale roll out of Access
BPL across Australia is uncertain, while it is more likely to become a
"niche" means of enabling public access to broadband services.
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