[Yaesu] [Fwd: It looks like BPL is being offered in Manassas, VA]

[Brian Carling]

That e-mail address for her is no good!

It bounces. Maybe she got fired?
Or at least swamped with e-mails that have some facts
rather than the fiction published by the power utility companies!

On 22 Oct 2003 at 10:42, rertman@ix.netcom.com wrote:

> Hi, folks:
> 
> I just sent this to the Potomac News reporter who wrote the article.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Dick W1NMZ
> 
> 
> > Dear Sari:
> > 
> > Interesting article, but I don't see any mention of the electronic
> > interference this technology will will cause.  It operates over a
> > frequency range of 2 MHz to 80 MHz.  This includes long range, short
> > wave communications used by international broadcasters (including
> > Voice of America), as well as U.S. Government agencies such as the
> > State and Defense Departments.  It will also interfere with amateur
> > and Citizens' Band radio communications.
> > 
> > I'm an electronics engineer retired from Lockheed Martin, where I
> > specialized in preventing, detecting and eliminating electronic
> > interference for more than 20 years.
> > 
> > You might want to look into the electronic interference aspects of
> > this technology, which is called Broadband on Power Lines (BPL).
> > 
> > I'll be glad to provide what assistance you may need if you and/or
> > The Potomac News decide to look into this.
> > 
> > Regards,
> > 
> > Dick Ertman
> > 
> > > Innovative Web access to shock Manassas
> > >
> > > SARI KREIGER
> > > skreiger@potomacnews.com
> > > Saturday, October 18, 2003
> > >
> > > Manassas residents will soon be the first in the United States to
> > > buy Internet access over city power lines.
> > >
> > > The City Council voted unanimously on Thursday to grant a
> > > franchise to Prospect Street Broadband, LLC., bringing a year-long
> > > preparation process to fruition.
> > >
> > > Residents can purchase the service within 120 days of the contract
> > > signing, which is expected to occur next week, according to Energy
> > > Services Manager Brett Massey.
> > >
> > > In May 2002, a small pilot group of city residents and businesses
> > > began using the service. A modem is plugged into the electrical
> > > outlet on one end, and the computer on the other, to gain
> > > high-speed access to the Internet.
> > >
> > > "They were very impressed by the speed, reliability and
> > > flexibility," said Utilities Director Allen Todd.
> > >
> > > Freda Wallace, an administrative assistant with Robert Loveless
> > > Architecture in Old Town Manassas said the company has been
> > > receiving the service since February.
> > >
> > > "We've had good service with it," Wallace said. "The only time it
> > > has been down is because of our equipment, or because they're
> > > testing something on the lines because it is a pilot program."
> > >
> > > The Connecticut-based company that received the franchise will be
> > > responsible for the equipment, connection, monthly billing,
> > > advertising and 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week customer support.
> > > The city will expand the current fiber network, which is almost
> > > complete, update optical electronics and install and maintain
> > > equipment external to the residents' homes.
> > >
> > > "The grantee will be providing most of the capital of this project
> > > and assume most of the risk," said John Hewa, assistant electric
> > > director for the City of Manassas. "There's very little financial
> > > risk to the city."
> > >
> > > John F. Berry, chairman and CEO of Prospect Street Broadband, said
> > > the service is very easy to use and no special training is
> > > necessary. Residents can purchase the service and obtain access
> > > from any city outlet.
> > >
> > > "You sign up once and you can sign on at home, a friend's house,
> > > the ice skating rink, where ever," Berry said.
> > >
> > > If residents opt for this Internet service provider, they will pay
> > > approximately half of normal high-speed access, as the tentative
> > > service price is $29.95 a month for residents, and $69.95 for
> > > commercial access.
> > >
> > > "It will be competitively priced and a quality service," said Vice
> > > Mayor Harry J. Parrish II.
> > >
> > > Wallace said the service was comparable in speed to any DSL
> > > program available. "It's very fast," she said.
> > >
> > > And as a fringe benefit, the city can also monitor power outages
> > > through this technology. Todd said the city has been trying for
> > > years to achieve that capability.
> > >
> > > Two bids were received on Sept. 8, and Todd said the city spent a
> > > considerable amount of time examining both proposals to ensure the
> > > best outcome for residents.
> > >
> > > "We've never had a franchise quite like this before," Todd said.
> > > "We wanted to make sure we had measures that would protect the
> > > services we promise the citizens."
> > >
> > > The contract that the council voted to approve calls for a 10-year
> > > term, with a five-year extension. A minimum payment of $24,000
> > > after the first year, and $124,000 after the second and third year
> > > is guaranteed to the city. Initial figures project that Manassas
> > > could receive up to $4.5 million in revenue after the 10-year
> > > period.
> > >
> > > Councilman Ulysses X. White questioned city staff about future
> > > price hikes, as he was reminiscent of a similar situation with
> > > cable television in the city.
> > >
> > > But Todd said with competition available, residents wouldn't be
> > > stuck with high bills and no options. Rather, this new offer gives
> > > residents exactly that -- options.
> > >
> > > Councilman Eugene R. Rainville said residents will benefit from an
> > > extra use of the electrical system their tax dollars already fund.
> > >
> > > "Now they can get Internet at a low price," Rainville said. "I
> > > would encourage all of our citizens to at least look at it as an
> > > alternative."
> > >
> > > And according to Parrish, residents may receive an added bonus if
> > > enough people patronize this service.
> > >
> > > "It looks like the council might have the opportunity to look at
> > > tax reduction," Parrish said.
> 
> Moderator: Ray Brown, KB=D8STN
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