This Friday, the FCC will make a decision on BPL - Broadband Over Power Line Classification. The decision decides if BPL will be classified as an interstate information service instead of a telecommunications service.

This is a decision of major consequence to BPL Providers. Under the interstate information classification they’ll be subjected to less regulation. The decision is a major factor on the deployment of BPL technology for some providers of Broadband Over Power Line.

Indications point to the FCC granting the same classification DSL and cable provider companies enjoy.

Currently the only major BPL rollout in the United States has occurred in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. TXU Electric Delivery along with CURRENT Communications Group has a 10-year, $150 million contract to develop a mass deploy solution for delivering BPL internet access over the grid.

The BPL Provider companies are keeping their fingers crossed.

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.

Another fight regarding the Manassas BPL system in Virginia is underway. The ARRL calls a report “flawed”, and makes an inquiry to the FCC.

‘ “ARRL objects to the report because it is based on improper engineering practice and contrary to the instructions provided by your office in your letter dated June 16, 2006,” ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, wrote FCC Spectrum Enforcement Division Chief Joseph Casey on August 2. In June, Casey had ordered the City of Manassas and BPL provider COMTek to investigate complaints from several Manassas radio amateurs of BPL interference to their mobile operations and report back to the Commission on their findings. The League, and local amateurs, contend the BPL system is still causing harmful interference to Amateur Radio operations, despite the clean bill of health the engineering report purports to present.’

There are disputes as to how attenuation at ham frequencies was measured and peak signal bands. It seems this BPL dispute with members ham radio operators has a way to go yet.

Last week the FCC upheld the rules for Access Broadband over Power Line, or Access BPL, systems. The guidelines maintain safeguards relating to the current radio services in existence.

Basically, regarding Access with Broadband over Power Line, if their is an interference deemed harmful, action will be taken.

In their Memorandum Opinion and Order they offer the following regarding Access BPL,

• ‘Affirms its rules regarding emission limits for BPL, including its determination that the reduction of emissions to 20 dB below the normal Part 15 emissions limits will constitute adequate interference protection for mobile operations
• Denies the request by the amateur radio community to prohibit BPL operations pending further study and to exclude BPL from frequencies used for amateur radio operations
• Denies the request by the television industry to exclude BPL from frequencies above 50 MHz
• Affirms the July 7, 2006 deadline for requiring certification for any equipment manufactured, imported or installed on BPL systems, with the proviso that uncertified equipment already in inventory can be used for replacing defective units or to supplement equipment on existing systems for one year within areas already in operation
• Affirms the requirement that information regarding BPL deployment must be provided in a public database at least 30 days prior to the deployment of that equipment
• Adopts changes regarding protection of radio astronomy stations by requiring a new exclusion zone and amending consultation requirements for these stations
• Adopts changes to provide for continuing protection for aeronautical stations that are relocated
• Denies the request by the aeronautical industry to exclude BPL operating on low-voltage lines from frequencies reserved for certain aeronautical operations
• Denies the request by the gas and petroleum industry to be considered as public-safety entities.’

The complete Memorandum Opinion and Order dealing with Access Broadband over Power Line can be obtained here.

This is a blow to the Amateur Radio operators opposing BPL. With areas like Texas scheduled to test Broadband over Power Line, and this affirmation by the FCC, the momentum is beginning to roll.

Last week, the Austin City Council approved spending up to $317,500 to test Broadband Over Powerline internet service. A spokesman for the group had this to say regarding BPL provider technology in Austin Texas.

‘”Everyone is saying how great this is,” Collins said of broadband over power lines, which for years has been touted as a third high-speed Internet pipe into homes and businesses, competing with cable and the digital subscriber line service offered by phone companies. “All we want to know is, what does this really do?’

As is the case in Texas, the established power companies are unsure how much strain Broadband Over Powerline will put on their existing power grid. With utility companies sometimes competing for more power to push those air conditioners or baseboard heaters, they want to take their time and test this technology first. It’s good to see Broadband Over Powerline testing being done in Austin Texas. Even if BPL isn’t online for a few years, this is a start in the right direction.

When’s Broadband Over Powerline, or BPL coming? We get asked that question by many inquisitive and broadband hungry powerusers. Broadbandfocus.com recently read an interview with an expert in the field. Here’s what he had to say about this powerline technology.

‘“Utilities have been slow to grasp this,” says Chano Gomez, vice president of technology and strategic partnerships at DS2 (Design of Systems on Silicon), which supplies high-speed powerline chips to device makers such as NETGEAR. “They are waiting for the pioneers.”

Those pioneers smell a market. That’s because as service providers continue to invest in network upgrades that promise faster connections to the home, they are faced with the quagmire of how to distribute that fat pipe throughout the residence. “The problem providers have is they know how to bring broadband to the home, but they can’t distribute the signals inside,” says Gomez.’

How long it will take to solve that problem is anyone’s guess. In the world of technology, and especially in the field of Broadband Over Powerline the going is sometimes slow.

What is BPL? Simply enough, BPL or broadband over power line, is a technology that allows data from the Internet to be pushed through utility power lines. Currently, the Internet provider arena is dominated by three major players. DSL, cable, and satellite Internet providers rule the field. DSL data is pushed through phone lines. Cable Internet is transmitted through the cable companies’ fiber lines. While satellite Internet data is sent through airwaves.

Broadband over power line data is capable of being provided to anyone around the world connected to a utility grid. This is especially good news to those Internet surfers residing in rural areas who may not have access to cable or DSL connections. BPL would give them another option. Very little modification is needed by the power companies to transmit BPL service. Imagine plugging a modem into any outlet and having instant Internet access.

The future of BPL is coming. The Federal Communications Commission is working on guidelines for broadband over power line service in the United States. Some cities in the United States are already testing the technology.

Who’ll be the major players? When will you be able to get broadband over power line Internet access in your area? How much will your BPL provider charge? How fast is broadband over power line service? Broadbandfocus.com will delve into these questions and more.