Motorola to Enter Market for Broadband over Power Lines

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Motorola to Enter Market for Broadband over Power Lines

6:00 am on February 13, 2006 | Category: Business, Web Services, Telecom Services

Motorola is about to begin offering a new technology that will see broadband internet signals transferred over power lines.

Broadband over Power Lines (BoPL) technology can be utilized by placing a sequence of wireless devices on utility towers, and delivering internet service over the low-voltage power wires that connect every home to the local grid.

This allows users to access the internet with a special modem, which can be connected to any standard power outlet.

“It makes for an easier installation because now you don’t have to drill holes, run cables, or bother the customer,” said Motorola engineer, Dick Illman. “You can install the infrastructure outside the home. When the customer is ready, you deliver the modem to them and they plug it in.”

BoPL also provides the benefit of an “intelligent” power grid for utility companies. By using electrical wires for digital communication, utility providers can more easily monitor outages or potential danger zones, as well as check meter usage remotely.

Until recently, this innovative new technology has been the domain of small startups, but it is now gaining attention from the big industry players. IBM, EarthLink, and even Google have all recently shown an interest in this cutting-edge market.

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An article that lacks sufficent info. What is the function of ” a sequence of wireless devices” got to do with BPL? And all of a sudden it “BoPL”?

Comment by JOhn — February 18, 2006 #