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Web Access Over Power Lines

Posted by samzenpus on from the plug-in dept.

anaesthetica writes "The CSMonitor is reporting that power companies may now be able to break into the internet provider market, giving consumers a third option, outside of telephone and cable companies. From the article, "Broadband over Power Lines (BPL), with investments from big-name companies including Google and IBM, is beginning to move beyond small trial projects to deploying systems for large communities." Earthlink may offer BPL as soon as next year. Apparently, a major source of opposition to BPL is operators of ham radios."

12 of 456 comments (clear)

  1. The Trinity by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Great, now instead of the Cable companies or Telephone companies having the stranglehold over my broadband connection, I got the Power companies too!

    Its like the Trinity of Evils controlling all of the Broadband access.

  2. Third option?! by wbren · · Score: 3, Funny
    "The CSMonitor is reporting that power companies may now be able to break into the internet provider market, giving consumers a third option, outside of telephone and cable companies."
    My first and best option has always been satellite Internet service! I get blazing fast downloads at 20KBps and a low monthly bill of only $89.95. I don't need to use it on cloudy/rainy days anyway. Cable and DSL have always been a distant second and third. BPL might make it into the number four spot. Oh, and let's not forget about "Broadband over gas lines"... that's at least my fifth or sixth pick.
    --
    -William Brendel
  3. So the Hams... by mtec · · Score: 1, Funny

    were cheesed? Except for the Virginia Hams who had exceptionally salty language for the power companies. The country Hams were milder in their criticism and the baked Hams didn't even notice.

    --
    Cake or Death? Cake Please!
  4. Stability :- by Hammer · · Score: 1, Funny

    Considering that no one has yet managed to shut down 1/3 of North Americas cable or phone networks in one shot. Is BPL really such a good idea?? >:->

  5. Re:Hams by Frankie70 · · Score: 1, Funny


    The article was light on the details of why the hams are opposed to this


    They are worried that the spam may interfere with
    the ham.

  6. Re:Hams by imsoclever · · Score: 2, Funny

    Some, however, are definetly soft and chewey.

  7. Re:Hams by briancurtin · · Score: 1, Funny
    Many hams may be old and crusty, but they're not a group to give up easily
    im not one to give up easily on a ham, unless it is old and crusty. i prefer mine nice and juicy.
    --
    My UID is a palindrome, that must be good for some type of prize.
  8. More than Web by Nyhm · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Web Access Over Power Lines" ... why, whith an Internet Protocol (IP) packet exchange capability this technology could provide any Internet service, not just HTTP Web access! (Please mod +1 Insightful)

    Editorial note: Read with heavy sarcasm

  9. Advice for the power companies by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 1, Funny

    Beware the powerful ham radio lobby! They pwn congress!

    --
    You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
  10. Ham radios? by JFMulder · · Score: 1, Funny

    Wow, technology is really going into weird places. Internet over powerlines. I didn't even know they had radio over pork!

  11. Re:Hams by ifwm · · Score: 2, Funny

    The airwaves were there before the hams, so by your logic, the hams actually belong to the airwaves.

  12. Re:Near first post by Maxite · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm sure that under the Power Companies, you have to buy electricity off of them as well. No electricity, no internet. So yeah, you'll be suckered in by them as well by paying for a service that you may not want.

    --
    Ah, you found me!