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North Carolina Utility Ending BPL Field Trial; System Shutdown Pending
Progress Energy Corporation (PEC) says it's completed Phase II of its broadband over power line (BPL)
field trial in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. In an August 4 PEC internal memorandum made available
to ARRL, the company said its program to "test the viability of providing broadband internet service to communities
it serves" will wrap up by the end of August, although PEC still plans to explore "several key strategic
issues" regarding BPL through the end of this year. The company reportedly will shut down the system once it's able to move
its BPL customers to other broadband providers.
Broadband Provider to Drop BPL in New York Trial Community
The broadband provider that's been testing BPL in the Village of Penn Yan, New York, reportedly plans to "move away"
from that technology. According to an article in the July 28 edition of the Finger Lakes Times Online, DVI now
is proposing to employ wireless mesh "WiFi" technology instead of BPL. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, congratulated
Penn Yann Mayor Douglas G Marchionda Jr. and DVI for going with wireless broadband instead of BPL. For more information
on BPL visit the "Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) and Amateur Radio" page on the ARRL web site. (source to arrl letter) [WIA QNEWS]
ARRL Goes to Bat for Arizona Amateurs, Seeks BPL Field Trial Shutdown
(Aug 17, 2004) -- The ARRL has asked the FCC to immediately shut down a broadband over power line (BPL)
field trial in the Cottonwood, Arizona, area because it's causing "severe interference" to Amateur Radio communication.
Electric Broadband LLC and utility APS have been operating the BPL experiment at two Yavapai County sites since June
under a special Temporary Authorization (STA) the FCC granted to Electric Broadband in March.
FCC Chairman reaffirms support for BPL
Speaking in Menlo Park, California July 15, FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell again asserted that broadband
over power line technology "holds the greatest promise to bring high-speed Internet access to every power outlet
in America." Powell's statement followed a demonstration of BPL technology at AT&T Labs co-sponsored by Pacific
Gas and Electric Company and AT&T. "What I saw today has the potential to play a key role in meeting our goals
to expand the availability and affordability of broadband," Powell said. "The future is bright for powerline broadband.
We'll continue at the FCC to explore ways to support this technology while protecting other services from
interference."
Israel: Electromagnetic Radiation Law Proposals
Eli, 4Z5IS, reported on the yet to be passed Electromagnetic Radiation Law, where a number of amendments were make in the radio
amateur's favor. Some were: inspectors may enter private homes if they have a court order, certain equipment not having to
be registered, exemption for radio amateurs in the payment of a radiation levy, the extension of authorization granted to
radio amateurs to five years. As well the IARC (Israel Amateur Radio Club) is being considered as the body to
authorize inspections. Also being considered is a proposal for a certain power ceiling for exemptions.
Mexico: All North America Adopts U.S. HDTV Standard
Mexico has formally adopted the U.S. ATSC Digital Television Standard based on 8 VSB technology. This,
for terrestrial broadcasting in that nation. Canada adopted the sam standard in 1997. The decision by
Mexico to go along wit the US and Canada means that ATSC is now the North American Digital Television standard.
ATSC was also adopted by South Korea in November of 1997 and Argentina in October of 1998. More is on the web at
http://www.atsc.org/news_information/press/2004/PR_Mexico_7-7-4.pdf
(CGC)
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