Rural Broadband over power lines (Vona: co-op, to relocate, land)

[parkfan]

I was wondering if anyone has heard if IREA has any plans to roll out BPL (Broadband over Power Lines) as an option for co-op members. We have enjoyed having this service in Cincinnati and they claim it's greatest benefit is going to be for rural areas such as the part of Park Co. where we hope to relocate in the near future. I have scoured their newsletters and have seen no mention of BPL yet.

[BarryK123]

BPL is destined to fail. It generates tremendous RF (radio frequency) energy and interferes with other radio services. It is currently considered experimental, and the FCC is monitoring it. Several test sites have already been shut down, either because of the interference problem or the power co. just found it unprofitable. Even if it were a viable technology, it's still too expensive to bring broadband to rural areas.

[b.adams]

I haven't heard of them doing anything like that. IREA doesn't seem like a company that would do this kind of thing. They seem very financially savvy and conservative. I could be wrong about that perception.

[ComputerUser000]

As Barry said, it's destined to fail.

I'm a radio broadcaster and been following this to some extent...... it just isn't a viable option for every reason Barry stated.

[parkfan]

Thanks to all for the info. I am sorry to hear that BPL causes interference with other radio freq. I hope that is a problem which can be solved. This service allowed us to ditch our land line (everyone calls on the cell anyway). I will keep everyone posted on how this technology progresses, (or disappears).

[b.adams]

But, I'll guess that your paying far more for your cell phone(S) than you probably ever did for your landline ... and its way less reliable. And your cell phone, esp. in the mountains -- won't work with 911 in many cases. So there are still good things about having a landline. And yes, I'm baised, I work for the phone company ... and need a job too.

[ComputerUser000]

I highly doubt the interference issue will be something that will ever be fixed, it's physics and radio waves..something that you can't just change.

I don't have a cell myself, don't need one.... when I go out, someone I'm with.. a friend or my Chief Engineer has a cellphone and they will let me use it in an emergency. Anything else can wait till I get home. I've got a phone line form Vonage, Im paying $50 a month for one "REAL" line along with one US Virtual Number and one England vritual number... never had a problem with the service.

Paul
-a radio station operations manager, on air personality, techie geek, etc