High Speed Internet: Coming Soon to an Electrical Outlet near You

Soon you may be able to connect to the Internet by plugging into an electrical socket. In October, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) introduced rules allowing power lines to be used to access the Internet. Existing power lines would carry communication signals and Internet users would be able to connect using a special modem that plugs into an electrical outlet. Although the speed would be slower than through residential fibre optic lines, it would be comparable to cable and dial-up service. Access to broadband Internet services has traditionally been limited by the availability of fibre optic or cable lines. The FCC decision has opened the possibility that all homes on the power grid could have broadband access. Significantly, no further wiring would be required. Opponents warn of electromagnetic interference that could disrupt various types of radio signals. In response to these concerns, the FCC has announced that such interference will be monitored and service restricted in areas where interference could affect public safety, such as locations near airports. Experimentation with the delivery of broadband Internet to homes via electric power lines has not been limited to the US. In Canada, broadband over power line service was launched by Sault Ste Marie's local hydro utility earlier this year. For more information on the FCC decision, see: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-253125A1.pdf. For additional information about broadband over power lines, consult: http://www.uplc.utc.org/. For more information about broadband over power lines in Canada, visit: http://makeashorterlink.com/?X3E714E99. Summary by: Sue Diaz