The In-Stat analyst, Joyce Putscher had some interesting words regarding power-line broadband.

‘The main advantage of BPL, according to In-Stat analyst Joyce Putscher, is the fact that the availability of coaxial or twisted-pair connections can be limited. In many countries, specifically those in Europe and Asia, cable television is far less common than it is in the United States, and households in those countries tend to have fewer telephone jacks. BPL could consequently facilitate more-widespread broadband Internet connectivity in those markets.

Domestically, according to Putscher, choosing BPL can mean the customer will have more flexibility when accessing the service because connections can be set up at any power outlet. “Even in the U.S. there are still a lot of homes that, even with coax and phone jacks, may only have them running to one room,” she said. “It’s limited.”

Even in some markets where cable and telephone services seem to have a lock on broadband services, local leaders still explore the BPL option. And if In-Stat’s research proves accurate, more markets may be picking it up soon.’, via CNET

Sill more of the same news regarding BPL

We haven’t even solved the BPL debate, and the promise of a new technology emerges using gas lines to push the internet.

Via Sci-Tech Today, ‘”I think there is a general pulse of excitement” about the technology among publicly owned gas companies, says Bob Beauregard of the American Public Gas Association, which represents 650 gas providers serving 5 million rural customers.‘

‘Nethercomm, a San Diego-area start-up, says it has developed technology to send lightning-fast broadband and TV services via wireless signals through the pipes that deliver the fuel used to heat homes and fire up stoves.

Gas pipes serve 62% of U.S. households, says the American Gas Association. Broadband in Gas, or BIG, could give consumers a third high-speed option at low costs and speeds that far surpass today’s phone and cable offerings. It also could bring fast Internet to unserved rural areas. But, so far, the idea has been met with both excitement and skepticism.

“It’s been a Coke and Pepsi (battle) between cable and phone companies,” says Nethercomm founder and CEO Patrick Nunally, 42, a veteran high-tech entrepreneur. “We’re in a position to come in and provide real competition.”‘, via USA Today.

We’ll see how long this Broadband solution takes to come to the marketplace.