You asked for a discussion of the issues surrounding the potential of providing access to broadband telecommunications services using electric power lines.

SUMMARY

In October 2004, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted new rules to promote the use of the power lines to provide high-speed access to the Internet and other broadband services. FCC believes that the broadband over power line (BPL) technology offers the potential of creating a new platform for providing high-speed broadband access to residences and businesses. The creation of this new platform could also provide competition to existing cable, digital subscriber line, and other broadband technologies. FCC also believes that electric utilities can use BPL to increase the reliability of the grid.

When the rules were being developed, a number of interests including amateur radio operators and public safety agencies expressed concerns that BPL could create interference with the radio frequencies that they are licensed to use. In response, the rules establish (1) operational requirements to avoid interference and resolve potential conflicts among radio frequency users, (2) administrative requirements to help identify BPL installations, and (3) measurement guidelines and certification requirements to ensure accurate evaluations of radio emissions from BPL providers as well as from entities using an earlier version of the technology. FCC believes that these measures will help promote the development of BPL systems while ensuring that other FCC licensees are protected from harmful interference.

While it appears that interest in BPL is greatest in areas that have limited broadband access using cable and digital subscriber lines, there have been some developments in Connecticut. Connecticut Light and Power is conducting a very small pilot to investigate BPL’s technical characteristics. United Illuminating is conducting two larger pilot programs, in New Haven and Shelton (press release attached).

broadband over power lines

Historically, a technology called carrier current systems has been used to carry very low power radio frequency signals over power lines. The radio frequency energy is transmitted by conductance along the line. Historically, this technology has been used in a narrow range of applications, such as home intercom systems and very low power AM radio systems on school campuses. The technology generally operates on frequencies of 2 megahertz (MHz) or less. FCC had previously adopted rules with regard the radio frequency emissions of this technology to avoid interference with entities operating in this part of the radio frequency spectrum.

Recent developments of faster digital processing capabilities and more sophisticated modulation techniques have allowed radio frequency signals to be carried using the 110 volt wiring found in homes. FCC refers to this as “in-house BPL. ” In-house BPL can use existing electrical outlets to transfer information between computers and other devices within a building, thereby facilitating implementation of home networks without having to install new wires between the devices.

BPL can also now be used in conjunction with medium voltage (1,000 to 40,000 volts) electric distribution lines, in what FCC calls “access BPL. ” Access BPL systems can deliver high-speed Internet and other broadband services to homes and businesses. The BPL systems can be connected with telecommunications networks through several means, including wireless systems. In addition, electric utilities can use access BPL to improve monitoring and management of their distribution systems.

Unlike the older technology, access BPL operates at radio frequencies of 2 to 50 MHz. This part of the spectrum is also used by a wide variety of entities licensed by FCC, including amateur and citizens band radio operators, public safety agencies, air and marine navigation facilities, and broadcast radio stations.

FCC DECISION

In April 2003, FCC sought comments on how to revise its existing rules to promote the deployment of BPL systems while protecting existing licensed services. In February 2004, FCC proposed adopting regulations for access BPL systems. FCC’s intent was to reduce regulatory uncertainty for BPL users, thereby facilitating the use of the technology, while ensuring that other FCC licensees were protected from harmful interference by BPL operations.

FCC received over 1,000 comments in response to the proposed regulation. Many of the comments came from FCC licensees concerned about the possibility of BPL interfering with their uses of the radio frequency spectrum. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration provided an extensive study of potential interference of BPL on federal systems. It found that such interference was likely to occur in relatively small areas around the BPL systems.

FCC issued the final rules in October 2004. In the order adopting the new rules, FCC establishes:

1. new technical requirements on BPL devices, such as the capability to avoid using specified frequencies and to remotely adjust or shut down any unit;

2. “frequency bands” in which BPL must avoid operating entirely to protect aircraft receiver communications;

3. “exclusion zones” located close to sensitive operations such as coast guard or radio astronomy stations, where BPL must avoid operating on certain frequencies;

4. consultation requirements with public safety agencies, sensitive federal government stations, and aeronautical stations; and

5. a publicly available Access BPL notification database to help identify and resolve harmful interference.

FCC concluded that BPL may become a major new platform for broadband service delivery. Services provided on Access BPL could offer high speed Internet and data communications that compete with, complement, or extend the broadband services provided using existing technologies. Since the electric power network extends across the country, Access BPL could offer these services to virtually the entire broadband market, including residential, institutional, and commercial users. In addition, Access BPL may expedite the availability of broadband Internet service to consumers and business in rural and other underserved areas. In areas in which consumers already have broadband access, BPL would enhance competition by providing another broadband alternative.

In addition to these telecommunication benefits, FCC believes that BPL could facilitate the ability of electric utilities to manage the power grid itself, increasing network reliability. Specifically, FCC believes that the utilities could use the technology for automated outage detection, remote monitoring and operation of switches and transformers, more efficient energy conservation programs, and power quality monitoring to detect faulty components before they fail.

An FCC press release explaining the order is available online at http: //hraunfoss. fcc. gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-253125A1. doc. The order (dockets ET 04-37 and 03-104) itself is available online at http: //hraunfoss. fcc. gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-245A1. doc.

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