Introduction
Sometimes called power line communications, BPL is the technology that allows the delivery of Internet connectivity over low voltage electrical power lines for consumer use. Considered perhaps as a last mile technology filling the need of those regions in which other mature broadband technologies, such as DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) or Cable Internet service, are not available.
Questions to be answered:
- Is this auxilary or disruptive technology?
- Is this last mile technology only?
- Are there any advantages over DSL/Cable?
- Do Wireless data options such as 3G from cell providers cover the final mile better than BPL? Is it more natural?
- Are there legitimate or unfounded fears of using the electrical system in this way that would cause consumers not to adopt this technology?
- Has the decreasing cost of broadband caused this option to be less relevant if cost was a primary benefit?
- How has the industry changed in its positioning over time? This technology has been discussed quite some time, why has it not been adopted already?
- Who are the major players?
- http://www.plca.net/
- Amperion Inc. and Current Technologies LLC have begun offering BPL service in limited areas.
Description
Digital power lines are believed to be able to carry data at roughly the same speeds as cable or DSL lines. And because electricity is more prevalent in homes than cable or even telephone lines, a vast new communications infrastructure could be born overnight -- notably in rural areas, where broadband access has lagged.
Difficulties
High power transformers
Companies have found that turning power lines into a stable, high-speed system of data transmission is tricky. Network interference and such things as transformers and surge arrestors have hindered broadband delivery.
But over the past few years, Shark says, many of those hurdles have been cleared with improved technology. Brightfield says previous efforts to deploy the technology in Europe failed because their electric system differs from that in the United States.
Interference with Radio Equipment
FCC Response to Radio Interference
Early Adopters - Troubles Oversees
In Japan, government leaders believe it's too early to allow PLC between 2 MHz and 30 MHz due to hazardous effects on HF users. In Finland, the technology has been shelved temporarily until interference issues can be addressed. In Singapore, several efforts to deploy PLC technology have proven too expensive.
It's the same story in a multitude of countries so far. A major trial in Holland failed because of interference concerns and cost. Out of four trials in Austria, three of them failed, and the last one is getting slammed by radio hobbyists for polluting the airwaves.
How it works
The technology works like this: Data is carried either by fiber-optic or telephone lines to skip disruptive high-voltage lines, then is injected into the power grid downstream, onto medium-voltage wires. Because signals can only make it so far before breaking apart, special electronic devices on the line catch packets of data, then reamplify and repackage them before shooting them out again. Other technologies use more elaborate techniques that detour the signal around transformers. Either way, the signal makes its way to neighborhoods and customers who could access either it wirelessly, through strategically placed utility poles, or by having it zipped directly into their homes via the regular electric current. Adaptors at individual power outlets ferry the data into computers through their usual ports.
Glossary
- In-House BPL
- home networking
- Access BPL
- new technology to carry broadband Internet traffic over medium voltage power lines.
Uses other than Broadband – Vested Interest
A more intelligent electric power grid. Speaking of competitors, why should we care about any of this when 3G wireless cellular telephone networks, wireless in-home networking and Wi-Fi hotspots claim to have the answer to delivering broadband to everyone? Electric utilities are not just looking at BPL as a way of entering the communications business. In fact, they may want to leave that part of BPL to a partner, perhaps an ISP, a CLEC or a long distance company looking for an alternative last mile path to their customers. Electric utilities are interested in BPL because it can give them an intelligent electric distribution grid. This could result in lower electric power costs, less pollution and greater reliability and security.
A better connected appliance. What's interesting about BPL is that every electric device is connected to the electric distribution network. Potentially then, BPL could let chips in every electric device talk to each other. Could we put a Wi-Fi, Blue Tooth or other wireless chip in every appliance? Yes - but BPL may be a better solution. Those who had PC's before the Internet exploded remember the difference in functionality between a standalone PC and a networked PC. Networking every electric device together over the power lines might result in a similar growth in productivity and convenience for your home and office.
