IBM partners to offer broadband from a wall plug

Big Blue to work with CenterPoint Energy to develop broadband services to be delivered over electric power lines.
The New York Times

The story "IBM partners to offer broadband from a wall plug" published July 10, 2005 at 9:30 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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Broadband over Power lines is flawed

The Times article reads like a glossy sheet from the BPL industry. It is a flawed technology that radiates RF noise from 2 MHz to above 50 MHz, polluting the shortwave airwaves. Also, it is not financially feasible to distribute broadband to rural users for the same reason DSL and cable don't go there - infrastructure costs. Now that Google and IBM are ready to pump major $$ into it, be prepared for news of the failure of this technology. These investments would be better spent working out a good wireless infrastructure.

Broadband over Power lines is flawed

The Times article reads like a glossy sheet from the BPL industry. It is a flawed technology that radiates RF noise from 2 MHz to above 50 MHz, polluting the shortwave airwaves. Also, it is not financially feasible to distribute broadband to rural users for the same reason DSL and cable don't go there - infrastructure costs. Now that Google and IBM are ready to pump major $$ into it, be prepared for news of the failure of this technology. These investments would be better spent working out a good wireless infrastructure.