[Premium-Rx] BPLReport Predicts Rapid Growth For BPL-Access

[Chuck Hutton]

I'm from the wireless and DSL side of things (AT&T, AT&T Wireless and
Alcatel) and I focused for a while on the competition from BPL.

My idea is that BPL will cherry pick those cases where they can compete
well. Examples: DSL is normally limited to 18,000 feet lines, and about 20%
of users can't get service. That should mean the rural and small town
markets will have some opportunities for BPL. There's less cable penetration
in those markets, so BPL will have an easier time of it. 

I'm not quite so sure the PSC's will be a major block, given the Telecom Act
of 96 opened the doors from a regulatory point of view. I have no clue
myself as to whether the utilities have enough money to fund the BPL startup
without requiring rate increases.


Chuck



-----Original Message-----
From: premium-rx-bounces at ml.skirrow.org
[mailto:premium-rx-bounces at ml.skirrow.org] On Behalf Of Cecil Acuff
Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 3:57 PM
To: Robert Nickels; Premium-Rx at ml.skirrow.org
Subject: Re: [Premium-Rx] BPLReport Predicts Rapid Growth For BPL-Access

Group,

Public utilities are regulated in each state by a public service commission 
or some such group by a different name.  Rate increases would be necessary 
to fund such development and things like BPL are not considered part of the 
core business so it would be tough going with the commission unless you 
could prove it vital to the carrying out of core business activities.  It is

conceivable that a utility would spin off a telecom type company with BPL as

it's focus but I'm not sure the business models would support such an effort

in light of the service currently available from other providers.

I think the utilities pretty much view BPL as an opportunity to capitalize 
on an existing investment in infrastructure by selling access to third 
parties that want to spend the big bucks to give it a try.  I also think the

utilities that are smart will shy away from even doing that because of the 
trouble that may come upon them in having to deal with the potential 
interference generated by the technology.

I'm employed by one of the nations largest public electric utilities and to 
my knowledge my employer has been pretty much disinterested...probably 
because they don't see it adding that much to the bottom line.  I do stand 
ready to make my position on the matter known within the company if and when

that fight becomes necessary.  (gotta pick your battles you know)

Cecil Acuff
Wireless Staff Specialist
Southern Company
WB5VCE
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Nickels" <w9ran at oneradio.net>
To: <Premium-Rx at ml.skirrow.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 10:26 AM
Subject: Re: [Premium-Rx] BPLReport Predicts Rapid Growth For BPL-Access


> Mac McCullough wrote:
>
>> Qualifying remark:   use your delete key at any time ..
>
> Also applies to my comments, below, which are only topical here to the 
> extent that we all want to continue to enjoy our premiuim (and other) HF 
> radios:
>
> Ultimately  the fate of BPL will be determined by whether broadband users 
> (aka you and I and our neighbors and friends) are willing to pay for it. 
> Or in marketing terms, whether it provides the best value, relative to the

> next best alternative -  which today includes  the  the telephone, cable, 
> and wireless ISPs   If you were a banker looking at the capital investment

> required for each of these alternatives, which would you choose?    In a 
> different world, maybe BPL would have been pre-empted on technical 
> grounds, but in this one, it's going to come down to financial return on 
> investment.   If your power company is in a position to invest millions in

> BPL infrastructure without a solid ROI, in the face of a looming crisis in

> their core business of power distribution, and with the "industry watchdog

> groups" watching their every move, maybe BPL is more of a threat than I 
> think.
> 73, Bob W9RAN
>
>
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