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Story: Trial runs broadband over power lines

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Your article failed to mention the major drawbacks associated with BPL technology. Namely, the interference it will cause to users of the shortwave radio spectrum. While advocates continue to deny that BPL will disrupt existing radio spectrum users, mounting evidence proves otherwise. For instance, Alliant Energy recently ended a BPL pilot project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ongoing, unresolved interference (radio pollution) from their system "certainly was a factor" in the utility's decision to pull the plug prematurely, according to Alliant's, Dan Hinz. In fact, technical solutions to the interference problems have yet to materialize. Furthermore, the hype regarding BPL's ability to bring broadband to people who do not already have access to DSL or cable, especially in rural areas, is also unproven and unlikely. The same economic barriers faced by DSL and cable providers also exist for BPL. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mismanaged the proposed rule making process for BPL, which highlights why the FCC's organizational structure may need to be more closely examined. Science and engineering have been ignored, in favor of political cronyism. FCC chairman, Michael Powell (Colin Powell's son), and the rest of the commission, are presidential appointees. Energy companies have been the biggest contributors to the Bush campaigns. PG&E clearly wants a piece of broadband pie to fatten their bottom line. There are other technologies being developed to bring broadband to the masses and to ensure market competition, without disrupting existing services. Radio spectrum is a limited resource, which should be managed based on public interest, rather than the pecuniary interests of a presidential campaign's cash cow.

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