Not really. You don't understand the technology.
First, BPL is a party line shared by many users. So, broadband over dedicated data lines is better then BPL. Why? Because the speed depends on the number of users online at a given time. Also, BPL signals cannot get past transformers. So, there have to be a dedicated data lines running in the background; connected to the powerlines in fairly close proximity to the subscribers. So, BPL is best for built up urban areas, as a way to avoid rewiring existing buildings. But, urban areas are already wired for broadand.
Second, if you do a Google search for bpl, one of the first things you get is the website for BPL Moble, a wireless internet provider. The ISP I use is going heavily into wireless (note wireless internet works about the same way cell phones do, but with better reception). Also, the cell phone companies offer internet access. Now, one of the big selling points for BPL is getting broadband to remote farmhouses. But, the power companies are unlikely to do this for the same reason the other internet providers don't, it's not profitable. Besides, most of these places can get the internet wirelessly. Look at the maps of wireless and cell phone coverage.
Third, what about interference? Powerlines are unshielded antennas. The power grid is a gigantic antenna. It picks up signals from everything; ham radio, marine radio (barge traffic, etc.), air traffic control, CB radio, cell phones, emergency radio (police, fire, ambulence), television (NTSC and digital), railroads, pipeline control systems, military radios, commercial radio, thunderstorms and solar flares, to name just a few. Now, I won't go into harmonics or other technical things, but all of these signals can jam BPL. So, let me ask you a question. Should ships, airliners, and the military stop using their powerful radios and radars just because it might jam BPL? Then again, looking at this the other way. It isn't just ham radios that BPL can jam. There is the air traffic control systems, marine radios used on ships and barges, and NASA satelite communications systems; to name just a few. Take a look a the frequency allocation charts, I did. So, what happens the day after BPL shut's down an airport?
Forth, the final arbitor of all radio frequency interference disputes is not the FCC, it's the federal judiciary.
I think BPL is all hype; mostly coming from high tech types who want to rip off the electric power companies by selling them expensive, and useless, technology.
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Not really. You don't understand the technology. First, BPL is a party line shared by many users. So, broadband over dedicated data lines is better then BPL. Why? Because the speed depends on the number of users online at a given time. Also, BPL signals cannot get past transformers. So, there have to be a dedicated data lines running in the background; connected to the powerlines in fairly close proximity to the subscribers. So, BPL is best for built up urban areas, as a way to avoid rewiring existing buildings. But, urban areas are already wired for broadand. Second, if you do a Google search for bpl, one of the first things you get is the website for BPL Moble, a wireless internet provider. The ISP I use is going heavily into wireless (note wireless internet works about the same way cell phones do, but with better reception). Also, the cell phone companies offer internet access. Now, one of the big selling points for BPL is getting broadband to remote farmhouses. But, the power companies are unlikely to do this for the same reason the other internet providers don't, it's not profitable. Besides, most of these places can get the internet wirelessly. Look at the maps of wireless and cell phone coverage. Third, what about interference? Powerlines are unshielded antennas. The power grid is a gigantic antenna. It picks up signals from everything; ham radio, marine radio (barge traffic, etc.), air traffic control, CB radio, cell phones, emergency radio (police, fire, ambulence), television (NTSC and digital), railroads, pipeline control systems, military radios, commercial radio, thunderstorms and solar flares, to name just a few. Now, I won't go into harmonics or other technical things, but all of these signals can jam BPL. So, let me ask you a question. Should ships, airliners, and the military stop using their powerful radios and radars just because it might jam BPL? Then again, looking at this the other way. It isn't just ham radios that BPL can jam. There is the air traffic control systems, marine radios used on ships and barges, and NASA satelite communications systems; to name just a few. Take a look a the frequency allocation charts, I did. So, what happens the day after BPL shut's down an airport? Forth, the final arbitor of all radio frequency interference disputes is not the FCC, it's the federal judiciary. I think BPL is all hype; mostly coming from high tech types who want to rip off the electric power companies by selling them expensive, and useless, technology.