Sunday, February 06, 2005
PLC & BPL is causing some sparks to fly from the ill informed
Rumors of aircrafts falling out of the sky by simply using an ultra-fast Internet connection is one of the pieces of proper gander being put out into the public debate arenas by opponents of the technologies.
It appears the prospect of broadband Internet access at 100 times current speeds is exciting Web surfers is no compensation for the radio interference it may cause according to its opposition parties. They believe it poses a serious threat to radio networks, other telecoms networks including those used by air traffic controllers for civil and defense force aviation.
BPL (Broadband Power Line), also known as Power Line Communications (PLC), can transmit data at 200Mbps by utilizing normal electrical power lines. Users of the service would plug their broadband modem into a normal household power point or utilize a special combination computer power supply modem option.
The technology has been a major public boost when NSW energy providers EnergyAustralia & Country Energy announced that they had completed a successful trial of BPL in Newccastle and Queanbeyan. Infact its believed the regional electricity provider which owns its own ISP fields numbers of calls each day from people seeking a better alternative for broadband via ADSL.
It’s said a range of services will be adversely affected by BPL, according to one of the Coordinators for A.C.R.E.M. (Australian Citizens Radio Emergency Monitors).
They say AM broadcast radio, amateur radio, HF maritime radio, HF aircraft frequencies, RFDS, School of the Air, 4WD safety and emergency networks, SES and Police HF radio networks, and various other HF radio users and emergency services were all prone to interference by the technology.
However, AC electricity causes problems on AM radio reception without any extra frequencies running along the lines without the presence of any communications signals. This has been a major reason why people have moved across to VHF and now UHF radio services.
Opponents to the technology have said BPL utilizes radio frequencies commonly between 3-30MHz to deliver the broadband signals, however it seems they may have their information incorrect as it is believed the trials used up to 80MHz.
It appears the prospect of broadband Internet access at 100 times current speeds is exciting Web surfers is no compensation for the radio interference it may cause according to its opposition parties. They believe it poses a serious threat to radio networks, other telecoms networks including those used by air traffic controllers for civil and defense force aviation.
BPL (Broadband Power Line), also known as Power Line Communications (PLC), can transmit data at 200Mbps by utilizing normal electrical power lines. Users of the service would plug their broadband modem into a normal household power point or utilize a special combination computer power supply modem option.
The technology has been a major public boost when NSW energy providers EnergyAustralia & Country Energy announced that they had completed a successful trial of BPL in Newccastle and Queanbeyan. Infact its believed the regional electricity provider which owns its own ISP fields numbers of calls each day from people seeking a better alternative for broadband via ADSL.
It’s said a range of services will be adversely affected by BPL, according to one of the Coordinators for A.C.R.E.M. (Australian Citizens Radio Emergency Monitors).
They say AM broadcast radio, amateur radio, HF maritime radio, HF aircraft frequencies, RFDS, School of the Air, 4WD safety and emergency networks, SES and Police HF radio networks, and various other HF radio users and emergency services were all prone to interference by the technology.
However, AC electricity causes problems on AM radio reception without any extra frequencies running along the lines without the presence of any communications signals. This has been a major reason why people have moved across to VHF and now UHF radio services.
Opponents to the technology have said BPL utilizes radio frequencies commonly between 3-30MHz to deliver the broadband signals, however it seems they may have their information incorrect as it is believed the trials used up to 80MHz.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
The NEW standard for ADSL!
The ACA has been compiling draft standards that will approve the use of highly anticipated ADSL2/2+ technology in Australia.The Australian Communication Industry Forum (ACIF) had been seeking public comment for 30 days on the document relating to the deployment of ADSL2+ in the network, and 60 days for the document relating to ADSL2+ modems. This consultation period is due to come to a close at the end of the February.It is said the documents don't make very interesting reading, apparently its just page upon page of technical mumbo jumbo. The documents release is an important milestone towards the availability of ADSL services that can run at up to 28Mbit/s on Australian telephone infrastructure. Its believed Australia might see live ADSL2 services within three months, as most ISPs including than Telstra (in some areas) that have installed their own DSLAMs into exchanges are able to upgrade and 'switch on' ADSL2+ capabilities by flash upgrades to firmware and changing DSLAM settings.
The ACA sets up a new website to look at power line internet technologies
In response to growing discussion on Power line Communications or PLC the Australian Communication Authority has released a new information website for broadband over power line (BPL) technology.PLC technology has been around for some time and used widely in the electricity industry for remote controlling equipments like heating, street lighting and other equipment. These technologies were all slow bit rate and narrowband communications. However, recently many of the electricity companies in NSW have been exploring the BPL technology promises to provide broadband speeds of over 10Mbps by utilizing existing power line infrastructure.The site lists trials currently underway as well as guidelines for providers looking to roll out BPL in the future. Four power companies are currently conducting trials including Aurora Energy in Tasmania, Energy Australia in Newcastle and Country Energy in Queanbeyan. There has been a concerted campaign in America again the PLC & BPL technologies claim it causes interference to radio technologies. Due to this the ACA and its successor ACMA is looking into the regulatory issues associated with the new technology and is opening discussions with the interested parties. Regulation will ensure that frequencies used by BPL do not interfere with other radio services.
NEW ADSL Extender has people who were left out in the cold warming their toes by the broadband fire!
Telstra has announced what may be a major breakthrough in improving broadband coverage across the nation. With Telstra providing updates to 75% of all broadband services through both retail and wholesale divisions the news that the telco is commencing trials of a new device that can make ADSL available up to 20km away from a central exchange has been widely accepted and praised by all players in the broadband industry. The fact this invention is an Australian-designed device, known as Expandsl also have many parties expressing interest. The Expandsl is a tiny, weather-proof DSLAM (DSL Access Multiplexor) that is installed at the end of the current transmission limit. The unit is 8 port mean it can connect eight end-users to the internet at 1.5mb down 256k up. The units are passively powered from the electricity already existing on the lines and don't shelter either. This makes them a much cheaper option to install than other extenders like mini CMUXes. The units are so small they can be strapped to a pole easily or hidden in the underground cabling pits.Unlike a minimux in an existing RIM exchange, the units do not require a fibre-optic connection back to the exchange. It uses a G.SHDSL (super-high bit-rate DSL) system, which runs at 2.31Mbit/s symmetrically so the units then load share available bandwidth the customers connected. With ethernet ports to allow higher-speed IP feeds in the future. They can be software upgraded to ADSL2 & ADSL2+ standards remotely.
Its believed these units can even be installed at customer premises alongside technologies that have traditionally blocked ADSL services. This means no longer customers utilizing loading coils and pair gain systems will give broadband to an entirely new bunch of people who were originally given a flat out NO answer because of the telecommunications hardware they are on.
Aninitial trial of the product by the Telco will take place over three months at Woodend, Merbein, Robinvale and Mt Eliza in Victoria and Mudgeeraba in Queensland.
Its believed these units can even be installed at customer premises alongside technologies that have traditionally blocked ADSL services. This means no longer customers utilizing loading coils and pair gain systems will give broadband to an entirely new bunch of people who were originally given a flat out NO answer because of the telecommunications hardware they are on.
Aninitial trial of the product by the Telco will take place over three months at Woodend, Merbein, Robinvale and Mt Eliza in Victoria and Mudgeeraba in Queensland.
