[RFI] BPL letter from US Senator Frank Lautenberg - NJ

[John Gagen]

Colleagues:

Concerning BPL and imminent RFI environmental pollution and interference 
problems, I wrote three petitions to New Jersey representatives on behalf of 
our local radio club. Of the three, only Senator Lautenberg had the courtesy 
to respond to each of the signers of the petition. Senator Corzine and 
Congressman Pallone responded with only a short "non-committal" reply to the 
local radio club president and no replies to the signers of the petition.
Needless to say that I am very disappointed and will take my views with me 
to the New Jersey voting polls this November, as well as urge all my family 
and friends to do likewise.

73, John - W2YR

Here is an OCR text scan of the letter I received from Senator Lautenberg:

FRANK R. LAUTENBERG
NEW JERSEY

United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510

COMMITTEES
COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

September 7, 2004

Mr. John Gagen
419 Lincoln Lane
Avon By The Sea, New Jersey 07717

Dear Mr. Gagen:

Thank you for contacting me about broadband technology. I appreciate hearing 
from you on this issue.

Universal broadband deployment is a goal worthy of the Senate's 
consideration, and Congress has begun to analyze the best methods by which 
to increase broadband availability and choice nationwide. Presently, the 
telephone, cable, and satellite industries, as well as electric utilities, 
all provide broadband services to residential consumers.

With the Internet and increased broadband demand, electric utilities began 
exploring Broadband over Powerlines (BPL), which could potentially increase 
broadband competition and accessibility. Proponents of BPL assert that it is 
less expensive to deploy than broadband via cable and telephone wires, the 
actual electric grid already exists, and it is limited by few technical 
constraints. Opponents of BPL note its effect on licensed radio spectrum, 
wherein amateur radio users encounter interference on their frequencies by 
BPL emissions. Government entities have expressed similar concerns, but also 
express some support for BPL because it may contribute to a more secure and 
better-managed electric transmission and distribution network.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began investigating BPL in 2003, 
and it is currently writing the rules governing the technical deployment of 
BPL and considering each of the aforementioned policy issues. As a member of 
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has 
jurisdiction over telecommunications and the FCC, I look forward to learning 
more about and weighing the effects and implications of BPL, especially its 
impact on New Jerseyans. As we move forward with this exciting new 
technology, please be assured that I will keep your views in mind.

Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,
FRANK R. LAUTENBERG


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