Draft Standard for Broadband over Power Line Networks

[dujas]

I thought this concept had died off several years ago, due to the possibility of interference to radio communications and questions over data security on shared power lines (although I guess IPv6 would help there), nevertheless a draft standard has been approved.

The project will develop a standard for high speed (>100 Mbit/s at the physical layer) communication devices via alternating current electric power lines: so-called Broadband over Power Line (BPL) devices. The standard will use transmission frequencies below 100 MHz; it will be usable by all classes of BPL devices, including those used for the first-mile/last-mile connection (<1500 m to the premise), to broadband services, as well as BPL devices used in buildings for LANs and other data distribution (<100 m between devices).

P1901 will address the necessary security questions to ensure the privacy of communications between users and allow the use of BPL for security sensitive services.

The standard will also comply with EMC limits set by national regulators, so as to ensure successful coexistence with wireless and telecommunications systems.

Source

[Rik]

If it works, it could be the best thing to happen to BB in the UK.

[Ray]

It would certainly be a kick in the appropriate place for BT wouldn't it, Rik. 

[Rik]

My thoughts entirely, Ray. With some real competition - assuming Ofcom don't decide BT should implement it - things might start moving forwards.

[Ray]

Hope it does happen, Rik, it's about time BT had some real competition.

[Glenn]

As far as I know, I'm still signed up for the trial with Southern Power for their Powerline service.

[Rik]

Been that long, has it, Glenn. 

[Glenn]

They started a trial in Winchester, with the view of rolling it out across their region but I never heard any more about it.

[Rik]

They must have got caught up on the round table.

[Technical Ben]

As long as it does not cause power spikes. Don't want my neighbours dodgy connection blowing my fuse...

[Ann]

Shame the source is Wikipedia.  I really don't trust them to be accurate.

[dujas]

The source is the IEEE Standards Association, wiki have lifted the facts straight from their press releases.