Abstract:
Broadband power line (BPL) is the term coined by the FCC for new modems (BPL modems) used to deliver IP-based broadband services on electric power lines. On April 23, 2003, the FCC adopted a Notice of Inquiry (NOI), expressing enthusiasm about the potential of the BPL technology to enable electric power lines to function as a third wire into the home, and create competition with the copper telephone line and cable television coaxial cable line. The FCC said that BPL service can be offered now using BPL modems that comply with existing FCC Rules. However, the FCC also asked whether changes to its rules are needed, either to remove unnecessary barriers to BPL service or to protect other devices from interference from BPL modems. BPL modems use silicon chips designed to send signals over electric power lines, much like cable and DSL modems use silicon chips designed to send signals over cable and telephone lines. Advances in processing power enable new BPL modem chips to overcome difficulties in sending communications signals over the electric power lines that could not be overcome with less computing power. BPL modem speed, like cable and DSL modem speeds, is changing rapidly with each advance in new technology, so it would be difficult to make any generalization here that would be accurate or timely. The FCC NOI discusses two types of BPL, In-house BPL and Access BPL.
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