[ARRL-OK] [PR:4321] going beyond the BPL spin

[markdc]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Pitts, Allen W1AGP
To: pr list
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 1:51 PM
Subject: [PR:4321] going beyond the BPL spin


The spin has begun.  Dependent on whom you listen to, yesterday's FCC
meeting was anything from "BPL Nirvana" to "overly restrictive".  Beyond the
hype, let's look at what was actually done:

Only a little more than a year ago the claims of interference were being met
with blank stares.
 "Interference? What interference?  There is no interference!"
At that time,  BPL was legal under FCC rules, subject only to a requirement
not to exceed the emissions limits (30 uV/m at 30 m -- typically an S9 noise
level), a requirement to do their own testing and a requirement not to cause
harmful interference. Had the FCC done nothing, that is the basis on which
BPL could operate right now.  That would have been the worst possible
outcome.  This rulemaking was not intended to permit BPL, because it was
already permitted.  Yesterday the issue of interference, specifically
"harmful interference" was front and center in the proceedings.


Once the interference issues were openly admitted, next came the
Certification of the BPL equipment.  While this is not the Certification of
the actual system that the ARRL wanted, it is still a definite step forward.
There was even the admission that some of the systems that had been deployed
would not meet the coming Certification requirements.


Not only has the Commission said that interference is important, groups like
the IEEE BPL committee are also saying that resolving interference is
important, and ARRL will continue to be part of that process.  Several
systems have shut down, in part due to interference issues, and ARRL will
continue to be a part of that, too, if systems cause interference.  The
rules are expected to tighten up the testing requirements, and instead of
allowing manufacturers to do their own testing, the FCC will become involved
through the much more rigorous certification process.  That is a major step
forward.  ARRL and others had requested this instead of verification.

There was the addition of a PUBLIC database - something that the BPL
industry definitely did not want!  This database would show by zip code
where the installations are and who to call if there are problems.

Exclusion zones were also created for certain federal and aeronautical users
of the spectrum.  While amateur services were not part of these excluded
zones, it was one more confirmation that the FCC took the interference
problem seriously.  So they also added the statement that there were going
to be provisions for RAPID mitigation of interference problems, including
shutting the facility totally off.  Unlike some past experiences in which
amateur's problems were denied, ignored or claimed to be "all fixed" when
they were not, it appears when the actual FCC document comes out that there
will be some teeth in this provision.  But we have to wait and see just how
big those molars actually will be.

To expect the FCC to have come out with a ruling stopping BPL in its tracks
was not realistic.  But the actions they took are much more agreeable than
some expected, and yet not as favorable as others wished.  The devil is in
the details, and we will not know the details until the actual papers come
out in a week or two.

The work is just beginning. ARRL helped to convince the FCC to reign in BPL
from its initial dream of "most restrictions" being lifted.  Now, it is make
or break time for this industry. If they will design their systems to not
cause interference, ARRL will help them by evaluating the systems and
providing them information about what level of protection is needed. One
manufacturer has already taken us up on that offer, and we are making plans
to get together at one of their sites next month to see what they have done
right so far.  If they don't meet the goals, ARRL will continue to press
interference complaints through the FCC, because is it critical that the FCC
enforce its own new rules.

Meanwhile, quietly ignored yesterday were other items on the FCC agenda.
While the political situation is causing all the attention to go to BPL,
these other technologies, including WiFi and fiber optics systems, made ever
greater gains yesterday and will soon stand to leave BPL in the footnotes of
technology along with the 8 track tape player.

Allen G. Pitts,   W1AGP
Media and Public Relations Manager
ARRL
(860) 594-0200 x328