Broadband for the People

By Rich Eichacker
Vibrance Technology Corporation

Many in the U.S. still do not have access to high-speed internet service. Broadband is typically not available to these people for a number of reasons: 1) the cost of running new DSL or cable service is high, 2) DSL, cable, and even wireless have distance limitations which impede their use in rural areas, and 3) satellite broadband can be costly and doesn’t offer the speeds of other broadband services. With all the homes and businesses in the U.S. already connected to the power grid, broadband over power lines, or BPL, could prove to be one of the biggest factors in expanding internet access to all Americans.

As an up-and-coming technology in the early 2000s, there was a lot of activity surrounding BPL: the FCC held hearings, products were in development, and trial deployments were rolled out. The activity level seemed to die down until the end of last year when both California and New York released reports from their respective public utility commissions outlining policies promoting BPL. Both states are interested in encouraging BPL and providing a “BPL-friendly regulatory framework” that would encourage investment, protect ratepayers from risk, and maintain the safety and reliability of existing power service. The studies noted that developing BPL services would increase competition among broadband suppliers and therefore reduce prices and increase innovation and service. Another benefit: BPL could create a “smart electrical grid” which would improve reliability and monitoring, detect power outages, and allow utilities to implement such features as automatic meter reading, equipment monitoring, and remote disconnect and connect.

BPL has a number of hurdles to overcome before it matures. One of the bigger problems is the potential interference caused by the broadband signals radiating from the power lines. Ham radio operators, as well as FEMA and other government organizations, have raised concerns that interference from BPL could interfere with fire, police, shortwave, and other radio systems important to national security. Another hurdle is actually getting the internet signals onto and off of the high voltage power lines. In some cases, this has been solved by creating a wireless network that originates at the pole.

If BPL succeeds, some advantages of this new technology could emerge: 1) Internet use would increase, opening new markets. Studies have found that faster connection speeds result in greater use of the internet. 2) BPL is potentially easier to use than other technologies (just plug your computer into the outlet). 3) Household appliances, already connected to the power grid, could be made “intelligent” by fitting them with internet access. Imagine your refrigerator contacting your grocery store for a delivery…

Spring 2006 -Volume 16, Number 2

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