Ambient Communications today announced that their new second-generation communication node, known as the X(2), has received the nod from the FCC. Whether that means it actually has a limited interference impact in the field will likely need independent testing. According to Joyce, "the first high-speed BPL access product to receive certification demonstrates Ambient's technical leadership in the industry."

Called the "great broadband hope" by the FCC's last commissioner, the agency in June issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order giving the green light to broadband over powerline (BPL) technology. The order simply supported rules made in 2004, and rejected calls from the aviation and amateur radio sectors to limit or prohibit deployment until further study is completed. Current FCC chief Kevin Martin said in a statement (pdf) that BPL "holds great promise as a ubiquitous broadband solution that would offer a viable alternative to cable, digital subscriber line, fiber, and wireless broadband solutions," and that BPL was one of the agency's "top priorities."

The Commission, critics suggest, is eager to see BPL take off as a third avenue of broadband deployment in order to diminish the negative impact of incumbent friendly policies that have resulted in a coordinated market duopoly.