From the July 2003 issue (pg. 37) of PC World Magazine...

A brazen new competitor to DSL and cable is
"within striking distance of being the third
major broadband pipe into the home," says FCC
Chairman Michael Powell. Broadband of power
line, or BPL (currently being offered in pilot
programs by a dozen or so utilities around the
country), promises to deliver high-speed
Internet access straight from the electrical
socket in your wall. Long written off as an
also-ran technology, BPL has new spark, thanks
to technical advances that address problems of
interference and in-line transformers that
scramble signals. The last hurdle will be getting
FCC approval. Considering Powell's enthusiasm -
the general belief that BPL will cost less than
cable and DSL - a green light could be imminent.

While everyone would obviously like cheaper broadband internet access, my
principle concern is the possible interference with ham radio out here in
the real world - the real world of corroded and rotted old power lines,
decades old transformers and power stations, and the ancient (often poorly
grounded) electrical wiring in old homes and buildings throughout this
country. Like many others, I suspect this technology is going to have a
dramatic impact on ham radio.

Does anyone know about these touted "advances that address problems of
interference" mentioned above? Are these "advances" really going to prevent
potential interference problems out here in the real world?


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/