By Jo Best, 19 January 2007 12:55
NEWS
Broadband over power lines is set to overtake cable and DSL connectivity in the US, according to industry watchers.
A report from Parks Associates has found in the US, growth in power line connections will outstrip that of more traditional broadband conduits. By 2007, it's predicted there will be 400,000 residential subscribers. That number is set to rise to 2.5 million in 2011.
According to the report, consumers in rural areas where other broadband delivery mechanisms don't reach will spur growth, while utilities offering broadband services will drive availability.
Chris Roden, research analyst at Parks Associates, also noted that such connectivity will give utilities "to better manage power demand and troubleshoot line issues".
Europe is looking to roll out broadband over power lines too. The EC announced in 2005 it was encouraging member states to take a look at the technology in the hope of using it to bridge the digital divide.
Comments
There are 9 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
Revenue From Home Networking LAN Hardware & Stationary Network-capable Consumer Electronics Devices will Approach $50 Billion in 2010
DUBLIN, Ireland--(Business Wire)--Research and Markets has announced the addition of In-Depth Analysis: Digital Domicile 2006: Is China the Next Gold Mine? to their offering.
Early adopters have added a home network to their broadband modems for primarily sharing Internet access, but have begun to bridge the traditional PC content world and legacy entertainment components. An increasing number of consumer electronics devices will become available that are network capable.
Wireless products are transitioning from 802.11b to 802.11g, and from 802.11g to pre-802.11n products. Alternative wired technologies are beginning to make strides with telcos deploying IPTV services, especially those that can use more than one medium. HomePNA now offers communication over coax as well as phoneline for added flexibility. High-speed powerline, such as HomePlug AV and UPA, also has the capability to offer high throughput over coax, adding to a potential increased opportunity than powerline alone.
The total revenue of equipment derived from home networking LAN hardware and from stationary network-capable consumer electronics devices will approach $50 billion in 2010.
from: http://broadbandoverpowerlines.blogspot.com/
2. Tim Jackson
And what is to replace short wave radio as a fallback and independent long distance communications medium?
I understand that broadband over power lines generates shortwave noise such that long distance contacts will be made difficult if not impossible if it is widely adopted.
The only alternative is satellite communication, which can be switched off at the whim of certain governments. One more civil liberty hits the bin.
3. anonymous
I can't see how it works...
... power lines are designed to transmit VLF (50hz) signals at high voltage & current - not frequencies in the GHz range.
4. anonymous
Previous trials in the UK of this type of technology were not deemed successful.
With the popularity in the US, maybe its time has come and it will start to be a viable alternative to DSL in the UK and the rest of Europe.
5. galley slave#41
In answer to anonimous midlands
To keep the thing simple you can send 240 volts at 60 hertz and 110 volts at 50 hertz on the same cable or even 12 volts dc. Transmission cables carry 180,000 volts to 440,000 volts (1,000,000 volts if you wish)
Distribution cables (around the streets) at 240volts ac 60 hertz also carry signals and control commands to the switching equipment at lower voltage.
Sending other data would not be a problem.
Don't know if the noise etc. Would be a problem
6. Richard
UK domestic electricity is actually 230 Volts at 50Hz.
This is a most lethal combination of frequency and voltage: Far more dangerous than the USA's 115 Volts at 60Hz.
A current at 50Hz can more easily cause lethal heart fibrillation:
The 230 Volts can easily force a lethal current through dry skin; without providing the protective muscle clamping often experienced in higher voltage / higher current shocks.
(“It's the volts that jolts but the mils that kills!”)
Previous trials of this technology produced severe radio interference. I'd much prefer my low voltage Internet!
7. Huw Owens
I seem to remember a Peter Cochrane column where he went through the maths & technology & concluded that it was doomed to failure: there were finite limits to what could be achieved, dictated by physical limitations.
I can't remember the details, & appologies to Peter if I'm misquoting him, but I'm sure he said it could never work...
8. Andy
Wondered how long it would take for this old chestnut to reappear.
PLC (power line communications) is not viable - if it was the power transmission companys would all be doing it.
It falls down because you need 2 lots of equipment, one to distribute connectivity to the substations, then a second lot for the final mile to the end users. Combine that with all the noise on power lines from large loads coming on and offline and it is an absolute non-starter.
9. Michael Webb
This is just what Norweb did as a trial in Manchester in the 90s. Works just like a LAN from the substation to the houses, trouble is as more users are active the available bandwidth diminishes.