[IP] FCC adopts rules for broadband over power lines
FCC adopts rules for broadband over power lines
Patrick Mannion
Oct 14, 2004 (1:10 PM)
URL: http://www.commsdesign.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=49901747
MANHASSET, N.Y. — The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday
(Oct. 14) to modified its rules to open the door to the widespread
deployment of broadband access over power lines. The action is designed
to both foster broadband penetration and increase competition while
enhancing management of the national power grid.
As a result of the ruling, power utilities can now provide broadband
to their customers, competing with traditional last-mile-access schemes
such as DSL and cable as well as newer options such as meshed Wi-Fi
networks and upcoming WiMax deployments. The facilities can also
improve management through faster feedback and advanced power-grid
management.
Providing broadband over power lines (BPL) is an attractive broadband
scheme because power lines reach every home. In addition, the
distribution of broadband to home would be simplified since users need
only a single device plugged into a socket to obtain broadband access.
"We all know by now that our country is now number 11 in broadband
penetration," said Commissioner Michael J. Copps in a statement
following the issuance of the R&O. "That's pretty hard to take."
The FCC approved its report and order despite objections from licensed
wireless users such as cellular and ham radio operators who consider
BPL to be a serious contributor to interference. While the rules
include specific steps to address concerns, including requiring rapid
resolution of complaints and an adaptive approach to deployment, Copps
remained wary. Copps the new rules "dodged the hardest BPL questions,"
that include universal service, disabilities access, E911, pole
attachments, competition protections and "critically, how to handle the
potential for cross-subsidization between regulated power businesses
and unregulated communications businesses remain up in the air."
While BPL systems have been deployed and are undergoing testing,
issues still remain about the best way to avoid interference with
existing services. The abililty of orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing to drop carriers and hence avoid certain bands makes it a
promising technology.
Other issues include safely coupling broadband data from the
medium-voltage distribution lines to the low-voltage lines to the home.
Schemes to overcome this include hanging a wireless box off the utility
pole to provide wireless access to multiple subscribers.
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