[HCRA] NewEgg.com already selling BPL equipment

[Rick Lindquist, N1RL]

Folks, let's be clear on something. BPL already is legal under Part 15
rules. In ET Docket 04-37, the FCC has proposed additional rules for
BPL. The NTIA (which regulates federal government spectrum and develops
the administration's telecoms policies) in essence has endorsed those
and added a few hurdles of its own for BPL providers to leap. But
there's nothing to stop utilities from offering BPL service right now.
The prime issues are these:

(1) Will BPL gain economic "legs?" To date, there's no real evidence to
indicate the BPL has any particular advantage what already exists. The
Alliant Energy guy told me as much when I interviewed him for the story
(see ARRL Web site) about why his company cut short its very small BPL
trial in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in the face of growing interference
complaints that ARRL supported. Oh, and the notion that BPL will provide
broadband connections for rural dwellers is just baloney. The economics
aren't there because of the added equipment requirements.

(2) Will the FCC endorse the conditions the NTIA (which has done some
real science on this topic--not just wishful thinking) wants to impose
on BPL providers? The BPL folks, judging from the UPLC's comments (see
story on ARRL Web site) apparently don't like what the NTIA is asking
for--not a good move on the industry's part, IMHO.

The one to watch is the Cinergy BPL rollout in the Cincinnati area (and
in several midwestern states, as I recall--sorry, I'm just back from
Central American and not yet back on EDT or English yet). That could be
the make/break experience for BPL and for those who think there's money
in BPL, because in the end, it's ALL about money--not about delivery of
broadband services via some better or unique technology.

Again IMHO, the future of broadband is wireless--not wired. BPL is just
more of what we've already got, plus HF QRM.

73, Rick N1RL 


-----Original Message-----
From: hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Steve Zemanek, KB1GHC
Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2004 4:33 PM
To: HCRA Reflector; BSA Venture Crew 510 Yahoo! Group;
KD1XP_REPEATER_NEWS at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [HCRA] NewEgg.com already selling BPL equipment

______________________________________________
-------Hampden County Radio Association-------
-----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
______________________________________________
I was on NewEgg.com looking around, and i found THEY ARE ALREADY SELLING

BPL EQUPITMENT, however these are advertised as "Ethernet bridges" 
probably something like the "wireless phone jacks" they sell. But i 
would guess you could use these as BPL modems.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?submit=list&catalog=294&DEPA=5
&order=price&sort=asc

AHHH CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

73' de Steve, KB1GHC

------Hampden County Radio Association-------
An ARRL Special Services Club for over 50 years
------------http://www.hcra.org------------
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