FCC blesses Broadband over power lines

BigEejit

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35541

FCC blesses Broadband over power lines

Ham radio operators' concerns ignored

By Nick Farrell: Monday 06 November 2006, 08:58
THE US FEDERAL Communications Commission has changed the classification of Broadband over Powerline (BPL)so that it can compete with cable modem and DSL Internet access services. BPL use has been stymied for years by ham radio operators who claim that BPL interferes with radio waves.

According to Techweb, the FCC ruling now classifies the technology as an "information service" and its transmission component is telecommunications it bypasses the legal binding that prevented the technology's wide scale adoption.

A spokesFCC said the commission hoped that it would mean that there would be more competition between the different broadband platforms.

BPL use has been low in the US but has been growing. It is uncertain what will happen to ham radio operators who might be unable to ask their mates in Tokyo if it is raining in the future. Of course they could try internet chat.

I am hoping that with regulatory issues now out of the picture more companies will enter this area and design equipment cheap enough for ESB/Whatever power company you use to install and start providing services.

BigEejit

the following article was linked by the inquirer:
http://www.techweb.com/wire/mobile/193501695;jsessionid=X11BT13GKZOAUQSNDLQSKHSCJUNN2JVN

FCC Endorses Broadband over Powerline


By W. David Gardner, TechWeb Technology News

The Federal Communications Commission on Friday gave a big boost to Broadband over Powerline (BPL), classifying the technology as an "information service."

The declaration places BPL-enabled access services on equal footing with cable modem and DSL Internet access services. The FCC has campaigned for BPL approval for years, although ham radio operators have long complained that BPL would interfere with its service.

By ruling BPL service's transmission component is "telecommunications," and an "information service," BPL will find it easier to deploy beyond the handful of networks that are currently scattered around the country, mostly in the Northeast.

"The Commission's broadband statistics show that subscribers to BPL Internet access services, although few in number overall, increased by nearly 200 percent in 2005," said FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, who has been a supporter of the technology. "By finding that BPL Internet access services are information services, the Commission provides the regulatory certainty necessary to foster competition between different broadband platform providers."

Sponge Bob

There goes any chance of the yanks hearing an SOS from a fisherman in mid atlantic on the distress frequencies.

ah well

BigEejit

Sponge Bob wrote:

There goes any chance of the yanks hearing an SOS from a fisherman in mid atlantic on the distress frequencies.

ah well

An SOS? like ". . . - - - . . ." (or however it is done, anal retentive people will correct no doubt) morse code is not used anymore correct?

Or do you mean sos spoken on a radio? don't the yanks have very sensitive receiving (and high powered transmission) radio stations like Ireland has dotted around its coast and running 24*7*365?

My point is that ham radio dudes dont get in on sea rescue anyway .... not to mention that middle of the atlantic is too far away for the low powered ship to shore radios to work anyway ... another ship nearby would be their only hope (or more likely, satellite phones)

/me puts on flame retardant undies and waits for the inevitable "one time in 1976 a mans life was saved when 375 million ham radio people worked together to get him rescued from the middle of his pool when the inner tube he was on started to deflate"

watty

"Mayday" spoken now. No Morse.

BPL doesn't make regulatory, financial or environmental sense.

Not only does it interfere with ALL LW, MW and SW radio, the BPL users lose connection if Mobile radio or fixed radio is used near power line (CB, Amateur, Taxi, Emergency services, Army etc).

The BPL issue is only partly about Ham Radio. The COASTGUARDS and Ships uses HF radio still. Satellite phones are on big big ships.

Oddly the transatlantic Aircraft DO use various SW / HF frequencies.

BPL will also interfere with new fangled near FM quality DRM on LW, MW and SW. (Not Digital Rights management, but Digital Radio Mondial).

Of course the next time louisiana relys on US Hams for week while the army decide if they should go, the power lines will all be down so it won't be a problem.

Our ESB has lots of nice fibre. The Wireless ISP guys using licenced frequencies that don't interfer get that into your home.