While the interference debate over power-line broadband just begins to surface in the States, the same drama has been playing out overseas. --

Trials and commercial PLC operations are moving forward here in the U.S. despite ample proof of interference from radio hobbyists; despite concern from emergency utilities, and despite concerns from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

While the push to bring a third competitive power to the two horse broadband race is tempting, it's becoming more obvious that it will be quite some time before you'll be downloading Bit Torrent file via your outlets. But as the FCC looks to explore the problems caused by the technology, they simply need to look to their global brethren to see the road ahead is a long one.

In Japan, government leaders believe it's too early to allow PLC between 2 MHz and 30 MHz due to hazardous effects on HF users. In Finland, the technology has been shelved temporarily until interference issues can be addressed. In Singapore, several efforts to deploy PLC technology have proven too expensive.

It's the same story in a multitude of countries so far. A major trial in Holland failed because of interference concerns and cost. Out of four trials in Austria, three of them failed, and the last one is getting slammed by radio hobbyists for polluting the airwaves.

In Europe this week, the technology saw several key advances.

Ireland's electricity company, ESB, is moving forward with a $55.76 million project funded in part by the government. In a statement, Dermot Ahern, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, noted that "Powerline communications systems have the potential to provide an alternative broadband infrastructure, which can compete with local fixed telephony, cable, and wireless networks." Naturally, the country has its fair share of skeptics as well.

Meanwhile, in the UK, Southern Electric has been moving forward with their own trials, and has seen positive response to the technology from users so far. The trial has recently moved into the commercial phase, and the company is slowly trying to gauge interest. In Winchester, the company is offering 1Mbps symmetrical service for £29.99 (around $47) a month. According to a company exec, speaking to the Register, Southern Electric needs around 50 subscribers per substation to make it worth their while financially.

Winchester’s first PLC (BPL) customer, Sue Phillips, said: "We’re really excited about being the first people in the country to use this new system. Both my husband and I are heavy users of the internet, at work and at home. The increased portability and speed of this broadband system are big benefits for us. The children love using the computer for games and it’s brilliant that they have the opportunity of really fast internet access."