BPL is a proven failure, and wherever it has been tested around the nation it has been shut down or severely restricted within a short time. The reason: first, power companies are in the power business, not the communications business, and don't have the ifrastructure to keep the equipment maintained and operating properly. So, they outsource that job, which places another layer of bureaucracy (read cost and time) between them and the customer. Second, and most important, the multiplexed data signals are carried over the powerlines by RF signals which interferes with any nearby police, fire, ambulance, aircraft, ham, and other radio services, and try as they might, the BPL folks can't get the interference to clear up so that reasonable radio communications can take place near powerlines. Can you think of where you might drive in a city and NOT be close to a powerline? The Bush administration is pushing it, so the FCC keeps on flogging it as viable, but even they have begun to lose heart. If Google knows something all the scientists don't, then more power to them -- otherwise, they are going to lose their shirts.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
doctord @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM
BPL is a proven failure, and wherever it has been tested around the nation it has been shut down or severely restricted within a short time. The reason: first, power companies are in the power business, not the communications business, and don't have the ifrastructure to keep the equipment maintained and operating properly. So, they outsource that job, which places another layer of bureaucracy (read cost and time) between them and the customer. Second, and most important, the multiplexed data signals are carried over the powerlines by RF signals which interferes with any nearby police, fire, ambulance, aircraft, ham, and other radio services, and try as they might, the BPL folks can't get the interference to clear up so that reasonable radio communications can take place near powerlines. Can you think of where you might drive in a city and NOT be close to a powerline? The Bush administration is pushing it, so the FCC keeps on flogging it as viable, but even they have begun to lose heart. If Google knows something all the scientists don't, then more power to them -- otherwise, they are going to lose their shirts.