This is the way to roll out high speed Internet access to rural areas
- wonder if this will make BPL a less attractive alternative?

Hope so!

73, Leo



http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...iness/Canadian

New satellite Internet boon to rural areas

Canadian Anik F2 'bird' will allow blanket high-speed service across
North America

By SIMON AVERY
TECHNOLOGY REPORTER
Friday, July 9, 2004 - Page B4


Telesat Canada says it's about to blanket North America with access to
high-speed Internet service with the planned launch on Monday of the
world's largest communications satellite.

The 6,000-kilogram Anik F2 promises two-way links for consumers on
their computers, at a competitive price, by using a frequency never
employed commercially before. The service will be targeted, beginning
in October, to the approximately 25 per cent of the population that is
out of range of traditional cable and DSL broadband services.

While Internet access is already offered via satellite today, such
services are used primarily by businesses that can afford the premium
price. Consumers who subscribe to a satellite service provider pay two
to three times the price charged by cable and DSL companies and must
rely on cumbersome dishes about one metre in diameter. The Anik F2
employs Ka-band technology, which can transmit data faster and more
cheaply than the standard Ku-band. Telesat says data will flow at
about one megabit a second and will require a smaller antenna at the
consumer's end (just 66 centimetres in diameter).

"This is a dramatic event. This satellite will channel broadband
capacity throughout North America, especially to rural areas that
desperately need it." said Paul Dykewicz, senior editor and senior
analyst of Satellite News, an industry publication in Potomac, Md.
"What you have right now is a digital divide where urban areas receive
broadband and rural areas are devoid of any affordable consumer
service."

Telesat, a wholly owned subsidiary of BCE Inc. (which also has a
majority stake in Bell Globemedia, owner of The Globe and Mail), says
about 75 per cent of the capacity on Anik F2 has already been sold to
telecom carriers, broadcasters and resellers, which include Star
Choice Communications Inc., a subsidiary of Shaw Communications Inc.,
and WildBlue Communications of Greenwood Village, Colo.

"All of a sudden, right off the bat, you'll have coverage all over
Canada," said Paul Bush, vice-president of broadcast and corporate
development for Telesat. Subscription prices will be slightly higher
than traditional DSL and cable services, but the technology is not
geared at the urban centres these existing products serve, he said.

The Anik F2 is massive by earlier commercial satellite standards. Its
panel of solar arrays, once unfolded, will stretch across almost 50
metres of space. One of the reasons for the size is the amount of
solar and backup power required to transmit the Ka-band signals to
small receiver dishes on Earth. Another is the fact that the 'bird' is
designed with several bands to carry voice, video and data signals.
These multiple capabilities reduce the risk associated with carrying
the new and commercially unproven Ka-band, Mr. Dykewicz says.

Telesat's biggest challenge won't be the new technology so much as
proving that there is in fact a commercially viable market for
broadband service in rural and remote areas of North America, he said.

The Anik F2 satellite was built by Boeing Space Systems, with antenna
work subcontracted out to EMS Technologies Inc.'s Satcom division in
Ottawa and some of the internal electronics done by Com Dev
International Ltd. of Cambridge, Ont.

While Mr. Bush wouldn't outline specific costs, he said the full cost
of Anik F2, which took almost four years to build, will be in the
"hundreds of millions of dollars," a price tag that includes the cost
of the satellite, the launch and the insurance. The satellite is
scheduled to launch Monday on an Ariane rocket from Kourou, French
Guiana.

I hope so Leo....this should be helpful in getting BPL dumped.

Dan/W4NTI

"Leo" wrote in message
...
This is the way to roll out high speed Internet access to rural areas
- wonder if this will make BPL a less attractive alternative?

Hope so!

73, Leo




http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl.../20040709/RSAT
E09/TPBusiness/Canadian

New satellite Internet boon to rural areas

Canadian Anik F2 'bird' will allow blanket high-speed service across
North America

By SIMON AVERY
TECHNOLOGY REPORTER
Friday, July 9, 2004 - Page B4


Telesat Canada says it's about to blanket North America with access to
high-speed Internet service with the planned launch on Monday of the
world's largest communications satellite.

The 6,000-kilogram Anik F2 promises two-way links for consumers on
their computers, at a competitive price, by using a frequency never
employed commercially before. The service will be targeted, beginning
in October, to the approximately 25 per cent of the population that is
out of range of traditional cable and DSL broadband services.

While Internet access is already offered via satellite today, such
services are used primarily by businesses that can afford the premium
price. Consumers who subscribe to a satellite service provider pay two
to three times the price charged by cable and DSL companies and must
rely on cumbersome dishes about one metre in diameter. The Anik F2
employs Ka-band technology, which can transmit data faster and more
cheaply than the standard Ku-band. Telesat says data will flow at
about one megabit a second and will require a smaller antenna at the
consumer's end (just 66 centimetres in diameter).

"This is a dramatic event. This satellite will channel broadband
capacity throughout North America, especially to rural areas that
desperately need it." said Paul Dykewicz, senior editor and senior
analyst of Satellite News, an industry publication in Potomac, Md.
"What you have right now is a digital divide where urban areas receive
broadband and rural areas are devoid of any affordable consumer
service."

Telesat, a wholly owned subsidiary of BCE Inc. (which also has a
majority stake in Bell Globemedia, owner of The Globe and Mail), says
about 75 per cent of the capacity on Anik F2 has already been sold to
telecom carriers, broadcasters and resellers, which include Star
Choice Communications Inc., a subsidiary of Shaw Communications Inc.,
and WildBlue Communications of Greenwood Village, Colo.

"All of a sudden, right off the bat, you'll have coverage all over
Canada," said Paul Bush, vice-president of broadcast and corporate
development for Telesat. Subscription prices will be slightly higher
than traditional DSL and cable services, but the technology is not
geared at the urban centres these existing products serve, he said.

The Anik F2 is massive by earlier commercial satellite standards. Its
panel of solar arrays, once unfolded, will stretch across almost 50
metres of space. One of the reasons for the size is the amount of
solar and backup power required to transmit the Ka-band signals to
small receiver dishes on Earth. Another is the fact that the 'bird' is
designed with several bands to carry voice, video and data signals.
These multiple capabilities reduce the risk associated with carrying
the new and commercially unproven Ka-band, Mr. Dykewicz says.

Telesat's biggest challenge won't be the new technology so much as
proving that there is in fact a commercially viable market for
broadband service in rural and remote areas of North America, he said.

The Anik F2 satellite was built by Boeing Space Systems, with antenna
work subcontracted out to EMS Technologies Inc.'s Satcom division in
Ottawa and some of the internal electronics done by Com Dev
International Ltd. of Cambridge, Ont.

While Mr. Bush wouldn't outline specific costs, he said the full cost
of Anik F2, which took almost four years to build, will be in the
"hundreds of millions of dollars," a price tag that includes the cost
of the satellite, the launch and the insurance. The satellite is
scheduled to launch Monday on an Ariane rocket from Kourou, French
Guiana.

Hello Dan, (and others in the group)

A question about something I have been thinking about.....

If BPL seems to be intended to be offered at a price not too much different
that DSL or Cable connections, why are we (or any representative groups)
doing presentations with the companies that offer Cable/DSL services??
Seems like those companies are the ones in direct competition for service.
Since Cable/DSL isn't offered EVERYWHERE but is offered in most areas, as
BPL (in theory) would also be available in all areas where there is power
lines, it seems like the BPL folks could sell to those who necessarily are
NOT in the rural areas too.

Also, what about commercial broadcast such as AM radio?? In my area alone,
power lines radiate a TON of interference already BEFORE BPL. If a
broadcaster truly knew that their signals weren't as effective as they were
before BPL, they might also want to get on the anti-BPL bandwagon.

Lastly, what about emergency services frequencies? From what little I do
know about BPL, the frequencies and their "possible" harmonics could affect
their frequencies, at least to interfere with their repeater systems.....
Police and fire chiefs have alot of pull, especially when they get together
in groups.

Just some thoughts on the issue....

Ryan KC8PMX


"Dan/W4NTI" w4nti@get rid of this mindspring.com wrote in message
ink.net...
I hope so Leo....this should be helpful in getting BPL dumped.

Dan/W4NTI

"Leo" wrote in message
...
This is the way to roll out high speed Internet access to rural areas
- wonder if this will make BPL a less attractive alternative?

Hope so!

73, Leo





http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl.../20040709/RSAT
E09/TPBusiness/Canadian

New satellite Internet boon to rural areas

Canadian Anik F2 'bird' will allow blanket high-speed service across
North America

By SIMON AVERY
TECHNOLOGY REPORTER
Friday, July 9, 2004 - Page B4


Telesat Canada says it's about to blanket North America with access to
high-speed Internet service with the planned launch on Monday of the
world's largest communications satellite.

The 6,000-kilogram Anik F2 promises two-way links for consumers on
their computers, at a competitive price, by using a frequency never
employed commercially before. The service will be targeted, beginning
in October, to the approximately 25 per cent of the population that is
out of range of traditional cable and DSL broadband services.

While Internet access is already offered via satellite today, such
services are used primarily by businesses that can afford the premium
price. Consumers who subscribe to a satellite service provider pay two
to three times the price charged by cable and DSL companies and must
rely on cumbersome dishes about one metre in diameter. The Anik F2
employs Ka-band technology, which can transmit data faster and more
cheaply than the standard Ku-band. Telesat says data will flow at
about one megabit a second and will require a smaller antenna at the
consumer's end (just 66 centimetres in diameter).

"This is a dramatic event. This satellite will channel broadband
capacity throughout North America, especially to rural areas that
desperately need it." said Paul Dykewicz, senior editor and senior
analyst of Satellite News, an industry publication in Potomac, Md.
"What you have right now is a digital divide where urban areas receive
broadband and rural areas are devoid of any affordable consumer
service."

Telesat, a wholly owned subsidiary of BCE Inc. (which also has a
majority stake in Bell Globemedia, owner of The Globe and Mail), says
about 75 per cent of the capacity on Anik F2 has already been sold to
telecom carriers, broadcasters and resellers, which include Star
Choice Communications Inc., a subsidiary of Shaw Communications Inc.,
and WildBlue Communications of Greenwood Village, Colo.

"All of a sudden, right off the bat, you'll have coverage all over
Canada," said Paul Bush, vice-president of broadcast and corporate
development for Telesat. Subscription prices will be slightly higher
than traditional DSL and cable services, but the technology is not
geared at the urban centres these existing products serve, he said.

The Anik F2 is massive by earlier commercial satellite standards. Its
panel of solar arrays, once unfolded, will stretch across almost 50
metres of space. One of the reasons for the size is the amount of
solar and backup power required to transmit the Ka-band signals to
small receiver dishes on Earth. Another is the fact that the 'bird' is
designed with several bands to carry voice, video and data signals.
These multiple capabilities reduce the risk associated with carrying
the new and commercially unproven Ka-band, Mr. Dykewicz says.

Telesat's biggest challenge won't be the new technology so much as
proving that there is in fact a commercially viable market for
broadband service in rural and remote areas of North America, he said.

The Anik F2 satellite was built by Boeing Space Systems, with antenna
work subcontracted out to EMS Technologies Inc.'s Satcom division in
Ottawa and some of the internal electronics done by Com Dev
International Ltd. of Cambridge, Ont.

While Mr. Bush wouldn't outline specific costs, he said the full cost
of Anik F2, which took almost four years to build, will be in the
"hundreds of millions of dollars," a price tag that includes the cost
of the satellite, the launch and the insurance. The satellite is
scheduled to launch Monday on an Ariane rocket from Kourou, French
Guiana.

"Ryan, KC8PMX" wrote in message
...
[snipped]


The ARRL is following many of the avenues you suggest. It would be a good
idea to send your list to the ARRL however in case they have missed some.

As for BPL for rural areas, that's pretty close to an outright lie. The BPL
companies can't just send it over the power lines with no further ado.
Every transformer has to be bypassed. Every mile or so there has to be a
signal booster. And so on. Rural areas would be the last to get it and
would not get it for a decade or longer as it would have to prove
financially productive in the cities first.

So let's all move to farms! (I wish)

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

In article , "Ryan, KC8PMX"
writes:

Hello Dan, (and others in the group)

A question about something I have been thinking about.....

If BPL seems to be intended to be offered at a price not too much different
that DSL or Cable connections, why are we (or any representative groups)
doing presentations with the companies that offer Cable/DSL services??
Seems like those companies are the ones in direct competition for service.
Since Cable/DSL isn't offered EVERYWHERE but is offered in most areas, as
BPL (in theory) would also be available in all areas where there is power
lines, it seems like the BPL folks could sell to those who necessarily are
NOT in the rural areas too.

The present-day Access BPL test areas ARE in urban areas, not
rural. That's where BPL will have the best chance for revenue.

Also, what about commercial broadcast such as AM radio?? In my area alone,
power lines radiate a TON of interference already BEFORE BPL. If a
broadcaster truly knew that their signals weren't as effective as they were
before BPL, they might also want to get on the anti-BPL bandwagon.

Access BPL is reputed to operate above the AM BC band and
stop just before the low end of the FM BC band.

Some of the "VHF channels" of U.S. TV will get the high end of
BPL interference. However, many of thpse VHF TV channels will
be moved once the cut-over to DTV is complete.

The FCC presently has another NOI open on using those open TV
channels for broadcast broadband data.

The FCC has NEVER been aggressive on making electric power
companies cut out their RFI from power lines. That was before any
BPL or PLC was devised. It hasn't changed.

Lastly, what about emergency services frequencies? From what little I do
know about BPL, the frequencies and their "possible" harmonics could affect
their frequencies, at least to interfere with their repeater systems.....
Police and fire chiefs have alot of pull, especially when they get together
in groups.

Several groups have "spammed" the FCC with their Comments on
this and the interference to already-established emergency services.
[Rev. Jim calls all such Comments for "spam"]

The major BPL RFI effect to emergency services is on the "low
VHF" PLMRS at 30 to 50 MHz. The "high VHF" PLMRS band is
relatively unaffected by reputed Access BPL bandwidth.

Just some thoughts on the issue....

Good thoughts on that! APCO was concerned last year and still is.
A few other groups have "spammed' the FCC on the subject and all
are visible to the public at the FCC ECFS, docket 04-37.

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:10:13 -0400, Ryan, KC8PMX wrote:

Lastly, what about emergency services frequencies? From what little I do
know about BPL, the frequencies and their "possible" harmonics could affect
their frequencies, at least to interfere with their repeater systems.....
Police and fire chiefs have alot of pull, especially when they get together
in groups.

APCO, Inc. (Associated Public-Safety Communication Officials), the
user-group and frequency coordinator for the Public Safety Radio
Services, was one of the first anti-BPL groups to get into the
fracas. It also helps that most of the nabobs of APCO are also
hams......

--
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

Subject: High-Speed Internet Access for Rural Areas - The Right Way (not
BPL)
From: "Phil Kane"
Date: 7/13/2004 6:57 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

APCO, Inc. (Associated Public-Safety Communication Officials), the
user-group and frequency coordinator for the Public Safety Radio
Services, was one of the first anti-BPL groups to get into the
fracas.

They've got just as much to lose as we do.

It also helps that most of the nabobs of APCO are also hams......

Oh now wait a minute, Phil...That can't be true...

I have it on first hand information from a REAL "radio professional" in
THIS forum that REAL professionals don't have anything to do with Amateur
Radio! If HE said it's true, it CAN'T be anything else! =)

(choking back a laugh........)

73

Steve, K4YZ