[TenTec] BPL and Today's New York Times

[Jim Reid]

Feb. 12th,  New York Times

1.   F.C.C. Begins Rewriting Rules on Delivery of the Internet
      By STEPHEN LABATON

      Published: February 12, 2004


"WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 - The Federal Communications 
Commission began writing new rules today that officials 
and industry experts said would profoundly alter both the 
way the Internet is delivered and used in
homes and businesses.

In one set of proceedings, the commission began writing
regulations to enable computer users to gain access to the Internet
through electric power lines. Consumers will be able to plug their
modems directly into the wall sockets just as they do with any garden
variety appliance. Officials said the new rules, which are to be
completed in the coming months, would enable utilities to offer an
alternative to the cable and phone companies and provide an 
enormous possible benefit to rural communities that are served 
by the power grid but not by broadband providers."

2. 
"Industry experts say that neither the phone service nor the 
broadband delivery systems offered by electric companies 
will take any sizable market share for at least the next two 
years. But in moving forward with the new regulations, they 
said the agency was reducing regulatory uncertainty and 
encouraging major companies and investors to make 
investments in the new technologies to enable them to 
move to market more quickly.

The F.C.C. chairman, Michael K. Powell, and his two 
Republican colleagues on the commission said the 
agency's decisions on the two sets of rules and the Pulver 
application would ultimately transform the telecommunications 
industry and the Internet.

"This represents a commitment of the commission of 
bringing tomorrow's technology today," Mr. Powell said."

And once again,  amateur radio's issues seem swept aside.

73,  Jim  KH7M