BPL Article in Harrisburg Patriot-News Draws Response
Scott Walker, a New Cumberland (close to Harrisburg) resident, wrote to the Patriot-News in response to an article they ran recently on Broadband Over Power Lines. My friend Adam was kind enough to scan in page for me, and this is what Mr. Walker wrote in what I believe was the January 12th edition of the Harrisburg Patriot-News:
In response to your editorial (Jan. 10) extolling the promise of broadband over power lines, you only touched upon what will be the biggest problem with the technology, interference.
For all of its potential benefits, BPL also produces a huge amount of radio noise over a broad range of frequencies that can affect many licensed radio services: police, fire, and emergency medical services to international broadcasting and world-wide amateur radio.
Interference to these services could knock out internet access for any users within range whenever a nearby transmitter goes on the air.
Federal Agencies such as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration have acknowledged that BPL interference could pose a danger to public safety and national security.
BPL system designers have tried to address the problem by notching certain frequencies, but with limited success. If BPL causes interference, the system must be shut down, as FCC regulations require.
Proponents of BPL minimize these problems, despite objective tests by the National Association for Amateur Radio and others, showing that interference will be a problem wherever BPL is deployed. PPL must ensure that licensed users of the radio spectrum are fully protected.
Scott Walker
New Cumberland
Filed under: Technology