California set to test broadband over power lines
The California Public Utilities Commission this week gave a boost to the idea of delivering broadband access over power lines by passing rules allowing trials to take place across the state. Though broadband over power lines (BPL) is a wonderful idea in theory, in practice it has been difficult to implement well. Has its time finally come?
You might remember the hype that surrounded BPL technology several years ago when the idea was first introduced. The concept was genius—use the existing electrical grid as a giant data network that could form an immediate alternative to cable and DSL. Unfortunately, early trials ran into problems. Speeds were generally low, and operators had trouble transmitting a clean signal through transformers and noisy high-voltage lines. There were also problems with radio interference, and if there's one group you don't want on your bad side, it's ham radio operators.
