KB2PSM
join:2002-08-06
Long Beach, NY | reply to Kfedka
Re: Oh No interference!! Competition is only competition if it can truly compete.
Go and read the execution costs for BPL. Look at the reality that the rural areas will most likely not get this any quicker than DSL or cable.
Do you think that Mercedes was threatened by the imports of Yugo into this country? Which one is still imported? Sure, they are both cars, but one was so clearly inferior that it imploded rather than caught on.
With the current demands for broadband speeds and the interests in future expansion, folks should look at the psysical evidence and be willing to admit that the Mercedes-like quality they want will not be delivered by Yugo-like competition.
I think that we all want competition, so it will raise the bar on technology while hopefully reducing costs. BPL, specifically throwing broadband on unshielded copper power lines is a messy implementation. Since this might be the only way for the power companies to find a piece of the broadband pie, they will keep throwing broadband at their power lines hoping that some of it will stick.
As a delivery of broadband, BPL is the sloppiest technology. Its just too bad that it isn't cost effective enough for cable and DSL to be delivered to the most rural of areas. Since these means of broadband have already been employed, they have a real track record and the limit of their rural reach is well defined. Being that BPL is almost entirely speculation, it is easy for its proponents to promise the world- since they don't have to meet those expectations at this time.
Look at the deployment costs for BPL. Either you (as the end-user)will pay super-big bucks for rural deployment, or you won't see it. Even worse, every customer of the utility company will bail the company out with increased energy costs. I don't think that the power line companies are motivated by charitable distribution of broadband to rural areas.
Let's hope for real competition based on stable technologies that will coexist cleanly with other technologies.
Wringing one's hands together at the signs of a hyped promise does not cancel out the salient arguments and concerns against it.
I just hope that your neighbor doesn't figure out that burning corn-based fuel in a noisy generator may create competition against the power company. The interference will probably be a by-product you will not quickly want to live with- competition or not!
Be well,
Rob |
