jmke

Broadband over powerline (BPL) has joined the choir invisible, is pushing up the daisies, is an ex-broadband technology. Smart grids, which don't require broadband speeds, are moving forward, however.

BPL encodes information on high-voltage and medium-voltage powerlines, and has speeds that were (at one time) competitive with cable and DSL. BPL is usually distinct from home powerline networking (like the HomePlug AV standard), which works over household voltages. BPL was advertised as a way to bring broadband to difficult-to-serve markets and to increase choices in competitive markets.

BPL can be used to bring Internet access to homes, and to carry operational data and signals for the electrical networks over which BPL runs—the so-called smart grid. Smart-grid applications include video monitoring, live reporting of usage from homes and businesses, and remote operation of switches and other equipment. Many electrical utilities are running networks that closely resemble those built 50 to 100 years ago.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...st-mortem.html

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