White Lightning Axiom: Redux

Picked this up over at Toni da Babe's place. I remember this stuff from way back in the 80's when we thought that 1200 and 2400 baud was 'Blazing'. The power companies would push data over the high tension wires at a screaming rate with no line noise. Ergo, no dropped packets! It seems that people have figured out that since it is too expensive to run DSL to every back-woods cabin in West Intercourse or South Predation ... just use what you already have:

Internet in your electrical outlet?
Now that it's good enough for Trump Tower residents, BPL may come to your home, too.
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Once the BPL system is installed, it "will enable (the delivery of) high-speed data services, Internet gaming and Internet telephony VoIP," said Microwave Satellite Technologies president Frank Matarazzo.

"We are excited about Telkonet's breakthrough technology because we can broadband-enable an entire building within a few days and without new wiring. (And residents) can enjoy broadband access from every electrical outlet in their apartment," Matarazzo added.

The MST/Telkonet system will also be installed in other apartments and in an assisted living facility in the New York area, picking up the trend set in a handful of small cities nationwide.

BPL feeds low-power radio signals over power lines. A BPL modem plugs into a regular electrical outlet, receives the radio signals from power lines and converts them into a digital Internet connection.

"Watching someone plug in their modem and see their computer come up with hi-speed Internet access is very rewarding," said Allen Todd, director of the Manassas Utilities Department. Manassas, Va. was the first U.S. locale to offer BPL services citywide, beginning its pilot program in early 2003.

# posted by mdmhvonpa @ 8:32 AM