WASHINGTON-Despite the interference concerns of government-spectrum users, public-safety entities and amateur-radio operators, the Federal Communications Commission Thursday adopted rules to allow broadband over power lines.
“The potential for the U.S. economy is too great, too enormous, too ground-breaking to sit idly by,” said FCC Chairman Michael Powell.
Rather than simply requiring BPL operators to live under the existing unlicensed rules, BPL has additional obligations, such as notching and remote shutoff, that will require some adjustments to existing commercial BPL operations, said Bruce Franca, deputy chief of the FCC’s Office of Engineering & Technology.
Additionally there will be specific frequencies where BPL operations will not be allowed. These bands are for “life and safety,” said OET Chief Edmond Thomas.
The rules set out specific procedures for interference complaints, but the only time limits are for interference complaints from public-safety entities, said Thomas.
BPL equipment will be subject to FCC certification rather than verification procedures used by other unlicensed devices. FCC certification requires equipment manufacturers to submit testing results to the FCC while verification does not require any prior manufacturer contact with the FCC before deploying an item.
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said he was disappointed that the FCC did not set out rules for disabilities access, universal service and enhanced 911. “Just because these regulations are long standing does not mean they are out of date,” said Copps.
Copps also said he was concerned that power customers may be forced to pay higher rates to subsidize an electric company’s “foray into BPL.”
FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin told Copps he had nothing to fear because he believed Pat Wood III, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, would protect consumers. “I am confident FERC Chairman Wood will do everything to protect consumers,” said Martin.
