[Lowfer] FCC BPL NOI

[W1EOF]

I am wondering what you guys think about the BPL NOI from the FCC. I just
downloaded the NOI so I can read and comment on it. To me it sounds like
trouble in River City. <g>

Notice from the ARRL Letter follows.

73,

Mark W1EOF




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.