Broadband Internet Over Power Line for Rural Areas

[charlesrshell]

My daughter works at an electric coop power supply company in Texas. The company is exploring the idea of providing broadband internet over power lines to the country folks around San Angelo. Does any of fellow SatGuys members or installers have any experience with broadband over power lines for rural areas? What do you think of it?

 

[comfortably_numb]

Sounds intriguing.

 

[charlesrshell]

Sounds intriguing.

Yes it does. They are getting with some other electric coop in Texas that already has it to see if they are going to do it or not. It sounds like a good idea to me for the country folks. I would think the Internet speeds should be much faster than the other present day services for rural areas.

 

[ncted]

We were promised this when I lived in Virginia in the 90s. Other than a few co-ops doing it, I am not aware of any big deployments, but it has promise.

 

[mdram]

had not heard of this. any info on speeds?

 

[charlesrshell]

We were promised this when I lived in Virginia in the 90s. Other than a few co-ops doing it, I am not aware of any big deployments, but it has promise.

Yep, I think it is a good idea. My daughter is the office manager at this co-op in San Angelo. She lives out in the country and is very excited about it. I will post as I hear of any info on how goes it.

 

[JSheridan]

Yep, I think it is a good idea. My daughter is the office manager at this co-op in San Angelo. She lives out in the country and is very excited about it. I will post as I hear of any info on how goes it.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it doesn't look hopeful:

Broadband over power lines - Wikipedia

"There have been many attempts worldwide to implement access BPL, all which have indicated that BPL is not viable as a means of delivering broadband Internet access. This is because of two problems: limited reach, and low bandwidth which do not come close to matching ADSL, Wi-Fi, and even 3G mobile. World major providers have either limited their BPL deployments to low-bandwidth connected equipment via smart grids, or ceased BPL operations altogether."

 

[comfortably_numb]

Be careful citing Wikipedia as a source- not saying this particular article is wrong, but Wikipedia is not even allowed as a source in high schools or colleges.

I could create a Wikipedia article naming myself as the President

 

[charlesrshell]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it doesn't look hopeful:

Broadband over power lines - Wikipedia

"There have been many attempts worldwide to implement access BPL, all which have indicated that BPL is not viable as a means of delivering broadband Internet access. This is because of two problems: limited reach, and low bandwidth which do not come close to matching ADSL, Wi-Fi, and even 3G mobile. World major providers have either limited their BPL deployments to low-bandwidth connected equipment via smart grids, or ceased BPL operations altogether."

You broke my heart!

 

[JSheridan]

You broke my heart!

Maybe some new tech will make it more feasible. We could sure use something like that around here too.

 

[comfortably_numb]

I'm hoping for LEO satellites.

 

[ncted]

Powerline Broadband Internet In the United States at a Glance

A Cheaper, Faster Internet Service Uses Electric Power Lines

With AirGig, AT&T could bring 100-megabit broadband to rural houses in 2021

 

[comfortably_numb]

Powerline Broadband Internet In the United States at a Glance

A Cheaper, Faster Internet Service Uses Electric Power Lines

Wow, there's only one provider and they're in Illinois!

 

[charlesrshell]

Maybe some new tech will make it more feasible. We could sure use something like that around here too.

Time will tell. I hope my daughter's co-op tries it out. I will try to find out what co-ops are doing it now so we can check it out on how it is going for them.

 

[ncted]

Time will tell. I hope my daughter's co-op tries it out. I will try to find out what co-ops are doing it now so we can check it out on how it is going for them.

Ask her if it is AirGig. AT&T has been testing it in Georgia, apparently with some success.

 

[ekilgus]

I asked about this some years ago and was essentially told it wasn't feasible, and they listed several reasons why. Perhaps some new technology has come along.

 

[whitty]

They explored the idea here in KY a few years ago, but last I heard they dropped it because there was something about problems with interference on the lines.

 

[Cheddar_Head]

Ham radio operators have lobbied hard against BPL as it supposedly creates interference that can severely limit the usefulness of the Ham frequencies.

Interference From BPL Systems

 

[TheKrell]

Ham radio operators have lobbied hard against BPL as it supposedly creates interference that can severely limit the usefulness of the Ham frequencies.

Interference From BPL Systems

Should have gone with broadband in gas instead. Gas pipe broadband? <- note article is from 2005

 

[navychop]

AirGig is the best hope now, along with LEO and MEO Internet.

Don’t throw money at the old broadband over power lines technology. That would be worse than investing in new WiMAX.


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