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Biased Against BPL
Anonymous reader has bone to pick

An anonymous user writes: "I find that your lean is clearly anti-BPL and it is slanting the news to that extreme - you are doing the public no good service with that outdated view. Not only is BPL here to stay and likely to account for 33% of Broadband in the next few years, but it is very important to communications going foreward (sic) in the U.S. and the world".

It continues: "Our country absolutely needs to impliment (sic) a Broadband catch up program IMMEDIATELY because we are way behind the world in that key technology. Continuing that way, will severely cripple the U.S. in job creation and competition with the modern business world."

"BPL is a fast way to regain our position and allow for the MBPS speed needed to future proof our Broadband communication needs. Your bias and similar views from the ARRL are outdated and counterproductive to the interests of America. Wake up and smell the coffee."

The coffee is brewed, our nostrils are operational, and BPL still isn't ready for prime-time. As noted in our recent editorial by an industry engineer, power-lines simply aren't well suited for data, and some significant advancements are needed for the technology to have a serious future as a broadband alternative without impacting the airwaves.

You need only look at the long list of global failures to determine that so far, it's BPL that isn't fully brewed. There's also a growing list of domestic trials that are being shelved, with no plans of further expansion.

In fact, out of 160 investor-owned utilities in the United States, dozens have conducted BPL trials, but only one (Cinergy Corp. in Cincinnati) exited the trials with plans for further expansion (CED Magazine, October '04). Even Earthlink, who's involved in trials, isn't optimistic that BPL has much of a shot against DSL or cable.

A ringing endorsement?

Many of our readers either believe the technology is going nowhere, or it needs more time in the oven. It has nothing to do with bias, or wanting the technology to fail; if it's fast, cheap and works well, they'll buy it, and we'll gladly applaud it.

While the FCC (and the companies ready to profit from the technology) are understandably bullish about BPL, most of the industry believes BPL is an unproven niche technology. As it stands now, it's a cable, fiber, DSL and wireless future, until BPL advocates can prove otherwise.

Most recommended from 46 comments



DrStrange
Technically feasible
Premium Member
join:2001-07-23
Bristol, CT

4 recommendations

DrStrange

Premium Member

Dear Mr. Powell

Greetings, Mr. Powell!

So glad you took time from your busy schedule to drop us a line. Although we may have our political differences, I'd like to wish you and yours the very best Solstice and New Year.

-Regards
DrStrange

As-tro-turf. Can You say 'astroturf'? I knew you could!