Let's see what the Times does with this one...
Dear Editor,
James Fallow's recent column concerning "BPL" and "Homeplug" contains a
fundamental flaw. Namely, they are NOT one and the same. He obviously
could not tell the difference.
Homeplug is an in-home wireless implementation which routes signals via home
power wiring. It pretty much does what's claimed...and it's not alone in
approaches to providing retro-grade use of power wiring in older homes.
"BPL", or Broadband Over Powerline is something else, entirely. It is a
poorly articulated technical solution, and a late entry to the broadband
internet distribution business. Power networks were never designed for data
delivery, and they don't function well in that application. In fact, BPL,
or "PLC"...short for Power Line Communications...has demonstrated that it
interferes with licensed radio users, to such an extent that tests of it
have been halted in many countries. Yet, the US continues to allow the
power industry to wander astray, in pursuit of questionable profit, in an
already well-served market.
Not only can BPL not economically serve new customers, its cost of delivery
exceeds that of cable and satellite providers. In addition, it imperils
public safety and air navigation, among other services.
The power industry needs to pay attention to providing reliable power, as a
national infrastructure. The journalism business would do well
commissioning columnists to write about things they understand. Mr.
Fallows, an otherwise delightful fellow, fell short of the mark on this one.
James Jarvis
Pasadena, MD
jimjarvis@comcast.net
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Is Broadband Out of a Wall Socket the Next Big Thing?
July 11, 2004
By JAMES FALLOWS
Broadband over power lines makes it possible for plain old
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http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/11/business/yourmoney/11tech.html?ex=10906731
96&ei=1&en=2bacfd60def55711
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