[EIDXA] BPL and National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative

[Jim Spencer]

Wow.  This is powerful.  The NRECA said they conclude BPL is not viable
near term!  I would imagine most REAs follow their association's
recommendation.  Did they say the basis for their findings?  Interference
risks?  Lack of ROI (seems more obvious)?

I think we all realize that in order for BPL to succeed they are going to
have to go head-to-head in sub/urban areas and not rural populations.

But the "rural" argument is one made over and over by the commission to
justify its deregulation efforts and expedition of BPL.  Hope this takes
some of the wind from the sail.

- Rodger, AB0YW



> Here is what the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative and the
> National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association had to say about BPL in
> their filings:
>
> "As not- for-profit organizations representing hundreds of rural
> entities providing a full range of telecommunications services to rural
> America, NRTC and NRECA support the Commission?Ts approach to the
> deployment of Access broadband over power line as another
> promising technology to bring broadband to consumers. We also urge the
> Commission to continue to exercise prudent caution in its approach to
> protecting licensed spectrum users from harmful interference while
> encouraging exploration of BPL technology. Specifically, the Commission
> should refrain from relaxing Part 15 of its rules, or establishing new
> rules until it is determined with reasonable certainty that interference
> can be limited to acceptable levels."
>
> "Joint Reply Comments of the National Rural Telecommunications
> Cooperative and the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, ET
> Dkt No. 03-104, filed Aug. 20, 2003. (Joint Reply Comments,
> NRTC and NRECA highlighted the importance of broadband to rural America
> and noted that the two major broadband platforms -- DSL and cable modem
>?" do not reach significant portions of rural America nor will they
> arrive there anytime soon.
>
> "NRTC and NRECA , with their member rural electric cooperatives remain
> interested in BPL as an emerging technology, and have monitored BPL
> technology developments since 1997. Despite our desire for rapid BPL
> rollout, we caution that our research leads us to conclude that BPL
> technology will not be a viable solution in the near term for rural
> America."
>
> Are there any other organizations more qualified to speak for the needs
> of rural electric utilities and their customers?
>
> Ed Hare, W1RFI


------------------------
Rodger Devillier, ABØYW
Blair, NE, USA