[TowerTalk] [CQ-Contest] Bad news for BPL = Good news for us

[Jim Lux]

Milt, N5IA wrote:
> On the contrary Jim.
> 
> I have been directly involved with telecommunications AND electric power 
> distribution in a very rural area for nearly 40 years.
> 
> I have successfully deployed wireless Internet delivery across a 5,000 
> square mile area with just over 50 Access Points serving nearly 2,000 
> subscribers.

I think you are misinterpreting my comment.  My comment *is* that BPL 
isn't a very good way to bring broadband to the hinterlands, just as you 
say.   However, it *is* also a good way to provide employment for a few 
hundred folks involved in promoting BPL in one way or another, at least 
for a few years until they find something else to promote.

> 
> It would take 10 times the investment to do the same via BPL on our 
> power lines, and then still not deliver to every potential subscriber 
> because of the remoteness of some locations.  With electric kWh meter 
> density at near 5 per mile (that includes water wells, barns, and other 
> locations which are not permanent human dwellings) there would be more 
> BPL repeaters than subscribers.

Which actually brings up one of the few practical applications of BPL.. 
remote meter reading and similar SCADA type applications.  It's not a 
bad way to distribute real time pricing information too.

> IMHO, wireless IS the solution for most rural areas that I am acquainted 
> with.
> 
> Milt, N5IA
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