[RFI] BPL alternatives

[WA2BPE]

The problem with the power companies is that they want their big $$$ NOW rather
than invest on fiber (to the curb, at least for now).  Fiber will also have its own
problems as modems will still require some power to run (big deal, if the pwr is
down, so likely is your 'puter) but this is surely no worse than cable (where
available).  The beauty with fiber (and as long as the modems are built/installed
right) is that there is *ZERO* EMI - in or out of the *fiber*.  Satellite works
well (albeit some latency time) but right now the up front $$$ investment by a
customer is high - before the monthly charges.  Also, both satellite and the
wireless can be affected by wx conditions (icing, etc., depending on location),
terrain, foliage, etc..

And cell phones - ah, yes - was once again amazed at hearing an ABC (or was it
CBS?) reporter in NYC last nite express ignorance as to why the cell systems were
down.  Even here, where the power outage was spotty (I got lucky - literally lost
it completely for less than 5 min. + 30 min. or so of wild fluctuations), some cell
systems were down for hours.

Tom - WA2BPE


dgsvetan at rockwellcollins.com wrote:

> Kelly,
>
> Thanks for the link.  Yep, that's one promising way, although it still
> needs R&D time AND an actual, viable market to develop.  The kicker is that
> for those of us who are in the boonies right now, there are at least 2
> existing alternatives to the BPL monster:  fiber optic (to carry the access
> signal, rather than the open power wires) and an at-home satellite
> terminal, such as offerred by Earthlink (and probably others).  The
> terminal is pricey, but for-real, and can be placed in most areas around
> the US.  it provides bi-directional high speed access.  The fiber optics
> are also for-real, but implementing it is a financial issue that the power
> companies do not seem willing to address.  They find it easier to feed
> their greed using the wires and consequently stepping all over the
> incumbent spectrum users.
>
> Regarding another of today's threads:  I would guess that in large scale
> emergencies, BPL will rank right in there with cell phones for
> non-reliability.
>
> 73, Dale
> WA9ENA
>
>
>                       "N6KJ"
>                       <kelly at thejohnson        To:       rfi at contesting.com
>                       s.ws>                    cc:
>                       Sent by:                 Subject:  [RFI] BPL alternatives
>                       rfi-bounces at conte
>                       sting.com
>
>
>                       08/15/2003 12:33
>                       PM
>
>
>
> I can certainly understand why there are people out there that are
> frustrated by their inability to get broadband access to their home, BUT
> there is no way you can convince me that polluting the HF radio spectrum
> is the only way to do it!  Here's at least 1 example of an alternative.
>
> http://www.wirelessnewsfactor.com/perl/story/22091.html
>
> There are more alternatives being conceived all the time.  This just isn't
> necessary.  Hopefully, the FCC can be convinced of this.
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