Broadband over powerline

[BeFree]

I just read some neat stuff, seems Broadband can come in right thru the electric line!

Anyone here know first hand how it's working out?

[RoyGBiv]

1. Got a link?

Where'd you read it, and what did you read?

If it's some sort of formal idea, I'd be interested in seeing how they plan to overcome the incredible obstacles, which all boil to down enormous costs.

Broadband totally over copper is fundamentally a bad idea.

[BeFree]

2. searched

Broadband over powerline

returned 70 links. It works, and it's cheaper than cable. It operates on a radio frequency. Anyone who has an electric line running to their house may already be wired. Anyone using it? I'd like to hear...thanks.

[RoyGBiv]

3. I was not clear ...

I know it works and what it is. I was wondering what, specifically, you might have read, or if it was something you'd just run across.

The reason I ask is that there are a lot of problems associated with it, some of which interest me particularly.

To answer your question, I have no personal experience with it, but know that it works much like a Wi-Fi "hot zone." That is, it works well as long as the atmosphere is being friendly and nothing is around that causes interference with the signal.

[reprobate]

4. It works in theory. The problems tho are far too great.

The main problem being that the power lines will act as antennas, spreading the signal and its almost infinate harmonics to every rf receiving device within range. And the power lines are ubiquitous, so EVERYTHING will be within range. That will make your radios and tvs unusable. Tho that may not be a bad thing.

Another problem I understand is that the rf does not pass across the power transformer very well.

All in all, it's a terrible idea.

Far better is the new WI-MAX standard which will allow over the air broadband over up to thirty miles from the transmitter. Expect it to start appearing in the next year or two. Several commercial interests are already building pilot infrastucture.

[BeFree]

5. Nothing first hand, eh?

Thing is with powerlines, they go everywhere, so everybody is already wired. I live too far out for cable, too far away for DSL, and too concealed for wireless.

I am wired. I want my BPL. Is anybody in these parts getting any BPL? I've read up a bit, but getting the story from a DU'er who's gets it would be nice.

[reprobate]

6. From what I've read in the tech mags, it's only in the planning stage.

And not really in the planning stage, but in the "maybe this can be done" stage.

It's gotten lots of play in the media, but they're not talking about the negatives.

Wait for the Wi-Max roll out. with it's 30 mile range, and inexpensive equipment costs, it will reach where cable and dsl are not cost effective. Unless you live down a mine shaft, you'll get it.

[alfredo]

8. when I was a cable splicer I would

take my signal probe and attach it to the guy wire. I could listen to AM radio over it. It worked like a crystal radio with a huge antenna. Never got around to making a tuner for it so I could change stations.

[Jersey Devil]

7. It is being implemented now in some areas

Current Communications Group has formed two joint ventures with Cinergy, a diversified energy company. The first venture will provide a bundle of broadband and voice services to Cinergy's 1.5 million customers in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. The second venture will deploy BPL to smaller municipal and cooperatively owned power companies covering 24 million customers across the United States.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/high_power_internet.html

I understand it will also be introduced in certain test areas of New Jersey.

[reprobate]

9. Thanks for the update JD. I hadn't read it had gotten that far.

[Xithras]

10. BPL is evil.

I know lots of shortwavers who are dreading the rollout of BPL because it's going to completely destroy portions of the radio spectrum. Shortwave radio in the US will go the way of the telegraph within a year of widespread adoption of this tech.

The one saving grace (or problem, if you support BPL) is that it requires repeaters and will not simply run over power lines as-is. Also, given the shaky condition of the local power grids in many rural areas of the country, the power lines may not be "clean" enough everywhere to support the technology.

Of course, the biggest issue in my book is that power lines are completely unshielded, meaning that anybody can sit on the sidewalk under a poweline and monitor your Internet traffic. SSL connections will still be encrypted, of course, but all unencrypted messages will be wide open for anyone with the proper equipment to listen in on. This isn't an issue with DSL and Cable since those mediums have always been shielded to prevent outside interference, but power lines were never intended to transmit information and, as a result, were never designed to be secure and shielded.

[Endangered Specie]

11. aint that the truth...

cable lines are exhaustively and painstankenly designed to keep people from tapping into them (cable tv pirates).

[WLKjr]

12. maybe it will force them to bury power lines finally n/t.