[HCDX] The BPL threat

["David E. Crawford" <DavidECrawford@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Now's your chance to try to head it off if you like DX....

dc

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FCC ACCEPTING COMMENTS IN "BROADBAND OVER POWER LINE" INQUIRY

The FCC released its Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on the deployment of
"Broadband over Power Line" (BPL) technology April 28 and now is
accepting electronically filed comments in the proceeding, ET Docket
03-104. The technology has raised concerns of substantial interference
to radio reception.

BPL would couple high-frequency radio signals to parts of the power grid
and use existing power lines as the transmission medium to deliver
broadband and Internet services.

The FCC has expressed unabashed enthusiasm for BPL. Commission members
have been acting more like cheerleaders than regulators.

In the NOI, the FCC acknowledges the interference risk from BPL. "The
multiple-carrier transmission nature of the new high-speed BPL
technology could pose increased risk of harmful interference, and thus
new BPL devices may need a higher degree of oversight to ensure that
authorized users are not subject to interference," the FCC said.

The major interference threat to radio receivers comes from so-called
"access BPL," because its signals can radiate from outside power
lines--possibly for great distances. The FCC also concedes that close
proximity of access BPL equipment on utility poles might affect--and be
affected by--cable TV and DSL service as well.

Current FCC Part 15 rules limit the amount of radio energy that can be
injected into the power lines, but, as the FCC concedes, "the new
generation of high-speed BPL devices that use wide spectrum was not
contemplated" when those rules were formulated. The FCC has invited
comments on possible changes to those rules.

The FCC also seeks information on a possible access BPL standards,
spectrum and bandwidth, modulation techniques and data transmission
speeds. Additionally, the Commission seeks the status of BPL development
and anticipated deployment in the marketplace.

The complete NOI is available on the FCC Web site
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-100A1.doc>.
The FCC now is accepting electronically filed comments via its
Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS)
<http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/>. Under ECFS Main Links, click on "Submit
a Filing." In the "Proceeding" field, enter "03-104" and complete the
required fields. Comments may be typed into a form, you may attach a
file containing your comments or submit them via e-mail, per
instructions on the ECFS page. The comment deadline will be 45 days
after publication of the NOI in the Federal Register.

(via W1EOF on LOWFER list)

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David E. Crawford
Titusville, Florida
United States of America
28.51N 80.83W
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David E. Crawford
Titusville, Florida
United States of America
28.51N 80.83W
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