IBM to help build broadband network in power lines

November 12, 2008 By ANDREW VANACORE , AP Business Writer

(AP) -- IBM Corp. is throwing its considerable weight behind an idea that seemed to have faded: broadband Internet access delivered over ordinary power lines. The technology has been around for decades, but most efforts to implement the idea on a broad scale have failed to live up to expectations.



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  • TJ_alberta - Nov 12, 2008
    • Rank: 4.8 / 5 (4)
    just Google "BPL & interference" and you will see why this is a bad idea. The FCC already lost in courst trying to promote this idea. Now the Dept of Ag is wasting US taxpayer's money.

    There are effective, off the shelf alternatives to broad band rural internet -- wireless 900 Mhz, 2.4 GHz and 5.6 GHz. Works well at reasonable cost. Why look for trouble?
  • moj85 - Nov 12, 2008
    • Rank: 4 / 5 (1)
    what is the speed of over-the-electricity-wires "broadband" ?
  • GrayMouser - Nov 12, 2008
    • Rank: 1 / 5 (1)
    A city in Britain tried this and found that every streetlight broadcast the traffic to anyone with a antenna... So much for privacy or the need for search warrants.
    http://www.wired....tml?pg=9
  • holmstar - Nov 12, 2008
    • Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
    A city in Britain tried this and found that every streetlight broadcast the traffic to anyone with a antenna... So much for privacy or the need for search warrants.
    http://www.wired....tml?pg=9


    Get a clue... All wireless traffic can be snooped-on so long as it is not encrypted. If you want privacy, use an encrypted connection.
  • jeffsaunders - Nov 12, 2008
    • Rank: 4 / 5 (1)
    I like the idea but, i think it will be a no goer. The marginal areas that are too expensive for ADSL may be too expensive for power broadband.

    If power broadband can be economically delivered in such difficult circumstances then would it be even more economical in cities?

    ADSL in many places will soon be competing with fiber optics not sure what effect this will have on electrical broadband except that it will reduce chances of possible expansion into cities once this technology has been proved in more difficult rural areas.

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